Craigdarroch Castle : Object : brush, scalp [2009.003.001.002]

Object

Accession Number

2009.003.001.002

Description

Part of an assembled 13 piece dresser set, this scalp brush is part of four matching Gorham sterling silver pieces with ornate repoussed and embossed decoration in the French taste, the cartouche on the centre back monogrammed with 'LMD' (for Laura Miller Dunsmuir), the two embossed cherubs seated on either side of the cartouche, the ornate repousseed handle bearing the face of a cherub at the top, brush's bristles intact.

Narrative

This mirror is part of a fine 13-piece silver dresser set assembled and owned by Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles). The set is unusually large and of very high quality. A Canadian woman of Mrs. Dunsmuir's wealth and social status during the Victorian and Edwardian eras would typically have had a dresser set similar to this one.

History of Use

This is part of a silver dresser set assembled by the late Laura Miller Dunsmuir (Mrs. James Dunsmuir) was used by her at Burleith and Hatley Park. After her death in 1937, it was inherited by the daughter of her eldest son, Robert William Dunsmuir (also known as Robin), Laura Marion Dunsmuir.