Abbotsford Thermometer, 1836

The castle-top range of high quality silver souvenirs from the 2nd quarter of the 19th century generally refers to vinaigrettes, card cases and snuff boxes that were decorated with scenes of British landmarks that were now on the tourist trail following the advent of the railway system. Other items that are less frequently found (e.g. aide de memoires, sweet baskets, thimbles etc) were also adorned with these scenes, but we don't recall seeing a thermometer before! This silver thermometer stand is mounted with a scene of Abbotsford House - former home of Sir Walter Scott.

The thermometer has a rectangular form with florally decorated uprights and the glass thermometer backed by an ivory plate. It stands on a rectangular plnth that is decorated in similar style and bears the full set of silver hallmarks. The silver is in excellent condition, however we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the thermometer for measuring temperature.

Abbotsford is the house built and lived in by Sir Walter Scott, probably the most well known Scottish author, penning such timeless works as Ivanhoe, Lady of the Lake, Kenilworth, Rob Roy, Waverley and The Heart of Midlothian. He was one of the most popular novelists and poets of the 19th Century. In 1811 Sir Walter bought the property which was to become Abbotsford, set in the heart of the Scottish Borders, on the banks of the River Tweed. The building of Abbotsford took six years, and was completed in 1824. The house was opened to the public in 1833, five months after Sir Walter's death, and has been enjoyed by visitors ever since. The view shown in this scene shows the front of Abbotsford seen from the East Court. To the centre of the scene, in front of the garden wall, a peacock can be seen perched on a roller!