Scottish Highlands 18th Century Bronze Horse Intaglio Letter Seal

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Description

1 Rare Unique Notable Scottish Highlands 18th Century Bronze Horse Crest Sculpture Intaglio Letter Seal By Repute Sir Ralph Abercrombie.
… Read more 1 Rare Unique Notable Scottish Highlands 18th Century Bronze Horse Crest Sculpture Intaglio Letter Seal By Repute Sir Ralph Abercrombie.
Add this equine sculpture masterpiece to your historic collection today.
Subject model of a bay hunter horse head wearing head reigns, with mouth open.
Visual beauty such fine master craftsmanship.
An intaglio seal is a stamp that uses an engraved design to confirm the authenticity of a document or letter. The word "intaglio" comes from Italian and refers to a carving or engraving cut into a hard surface.
Very finely modelled and beautifully cast.
Origin from Scotland.
Solid quality weighing 180 grams approximate.
A cute small size being 7cm high, 2.6cm wide and 5cm in depth.
An ideal collectors gift.
Circa 1760 mid 18th century beginning of the Georgian era.
By repute possible links to Sir Ralph Abercrombie.
Clan Abercromby, also known as Clan Abercrombie, is a Scottish clan with lands in the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. The clan was first attested to in 1296 with William de Abercromby, who was given charter of Abercrombie, Fife
Biography of Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, KB (7 October 1734 – 28 March 1801) was a British Army officer, politician and colonial administrator who served as the governor of Trinidad in 1797. Rising to the rank of lieutenant general in the British army, he also served as the Commander-in-Chief, Ireland and was noted for his military service during the French Revolutionary Wars, which included defeating the French invasion of Egypt and Syria. His strategies are ranked amongst the most daring and brilliant exploits of the British army.
Abercromby's education was begun by a private tutor, then continued at the school of Mr Moir in Alloa, then considered one of the best in Scotland despite its Jacobite leanings. Ralph attended Rugby School from 12 June 1748, where he remained until he was 18. Between 1752 and 1753, he was a student at the University of Edinburgh. There he studied moral and natural philosophy and civil law, and was regarded by his professors as sound rather than brilliant.[4] He completed his studies at Leipzig University in Germany from autumn 1754, taking more detailed studies in civil law with a view to a career as an advocate.
On returning from the continent, Abercromby expressed a strong preference for the military profession, and a cornet's commission was accordingly obtained for him (March 1756) in the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He served with his regiment in the Seven Years' War, and thus, the opportunity afforded him of studying the methods of Frederick the Great, which moulded his military character and formed his tactical ideas.
Abercromby rose through the intermediate grades to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the regiment (1773) and brevet colonel in 1780, and in 1781, he became colonel of the newly raised King's Irish infantry. When that regiment was disbanded in 1783, he retired on half pay. He also entered Parliament as MP for Clackmannanshire (1774–1780). In 1791 he commissioned a large townhouse at 66 Queen Street, Edinburgh.
Abercromby was a strong supporter of the American cause in the American Revolutionary War and chose to serve in Ireland, where British military regiments were stationed year-round to discourage rebellion, to prevent his being forced to fight in North America. When France declared war against Great Britain in 1793, Abercromby returned to active duty. He was appointed commander of a brigade under the Duke of York for service in the Netherlands, where he commanded the advanced guard in the action at Le Cateau. During the 1794 withdrawal to Holland, he commanded the allied forces in the action at Boxtel.
In February 1797, the General Abercromby launched the invasion of Trinidad. His squadron sailed through the Bocas and anchored off the coast of Chaguaramas. The Spanish Governor Chacón decided to capitulate without fighting. Trinidad thus became a British crown colony, with a French-speaking population of Catholic faith and Spanish laws.[citation needed] British rule was formalized under the Treaty of Amiens (1802).
Abercromby commanded the expedition to the Mediterranean in 1800, and after successfully landing the army at Aboukir and driving the French inland, defeated an attempted French counter-attack at Alexandria, 21 March 1801.The Battle was won and was a great victory, with Menou forced to retreat to the city of Alexandria. On 17 August, British forces laid siege to Alexandria and later captured the city which effectively ended French control of Egypt and Syria.
During the action of the battle Abercromby was struck by a musket-ball in the thigh; but not until the battle had been won and he saw the enemy retreating did he allow himself to be relieved of command so he could receive medical aid. He was eventually borne from the field in a hammock, cheered by the blessings of the soldiers as he passed, and conveyed on board the flag-ship HMS Foudroyant which was moored in the harbour. The ball could not be extracted; mortification ensued, and seven days later, on 28 March 1801, he died.
Provenance private estate, Scottish antiques dealer & in collection of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
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Dimensions in centimetres

High (7 cm)
Length (5.5 cm)
Width (2.6 cm) See less