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7 Jul 2023 | |
Written by Darren Donaldson | |
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Recently a beautifully carved box was discovered within the Turrets of the Quadrangle.
This small, presumably rosewood, box is decorated on top with an intricately carved medallion depicting the statue of George Heriot which can be found on the North (interior) wall above the pend. Above this the motto 'I Distribute Chearfullie' is carved.
As one opens the box, we are presented with the details of who the box was commissioned for.
'To Robert Morham Esq. From the Members of the Auld Callant's Club, as a mark of respect for him as its Founder, of esteem for his character and in acknowledgement of his long and zealous services to the club.'
You can read more of Robert Moreham in Jinglin Geordies Legacy, a history written by Brian R W Lockhart, published in 2003.
'In January 1834 an Auld Callants Club was formed to "venerate the memory of the Founder and to perpetuate the recollections, the intimacies of the attachments of their boyhood."' The Founder, one Robert Moreham.
The Auld Callants Club ran from 1834 into the 1880's, a forerunner to the subsequent Herioters clubs that have continued over the decades and leads us to the modern day Herioter Hub!
The underside of the box is a joy, and an unexpected surprise. An intricate and expert engraving of the School’s north elevation from the Grassmarket.
Just what was this treasure for? We have guessed it is a snuff box, but I am sure there is a Herioter out there that knows more or can indeed confirm our thinking. Please comment below and let us know if you have something similar, or have come across this before, we would love to know more.
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