Victorian Sgian Dubh by by James & William Ferguson, Inverness

Sgian dubh displaying a knotwork carved wooden handle set with silver domed studs, the lower mount with a ring and dot engraved decoration, and the domed pommel with an ovolo engraved border showing a foliate decoration on top. The carbon steel blade has a scalloped back edge, a single fuller, and is marked ‘FERGUSON BROTHERS’. It is also much reduced in size due to sharpening over the last century and a half, however the blade still fits securely in the scabbard. The green leather covered wooden scabbard has pierced and engraved shaped scrolling mounts.

This mid Victorian Scottish provincial sgian dubh comes from the period of the Highland Revival in Inverness. James & William Ferguson (Ferguson Brothers) was established in 1866 when James incorporated his younger brother into the existing business which had been created in 1857. They were incredibly successful and by 1870 they held the Royal Warrant from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (latterly King Edward VII), and are recorded using local stones, gold, and other materials in their Highland inspired work.

Detailed biographies of James and William Ferguson as well as the continuation of their business as Fraser, Ferguson & MacBean can be found in Highland Gold & Silversmiths by G.P. Moss and A.D. Roe.

Condition:

Due to the age of the item there is some light rubbing to the green leather and the original steel blade has natural toning and discoloration.

Dimensions:

Blade length 7cm

Overall length 18.7cm

Maximum width 3cm