parasol

Object

Accession Number
2014.014.011
Alternate Name
fragment; handle
Description
An umbrella or parasol handle made of wood (possibly yew), gold, and brass. The heavily decorated spiraling handle begins with a thick gold base tapering to a dark brown wooden shaft and terminates to a brass dowel, to which a parasol or umbrella would be attached. The gold base is moulded into a spiral and a geometric pattern of circles and curved parallel lines has been tooled onto the surface.
Narrative
This golden umbrella handle's uninterrupted use by successive generations of the Dunsmuir/Bryden family makes it an important part of The Castle Society's Primary Collection. 
History of Use
This extraordinary gold umbrella handle was probably made in the early 1890’s and used by Elizabeth Hamilton Bryden (nee Dunsmuir). After her death, it passed through her husband John Cowper Bryden to their son, John William Bryden, who in turn left it to his son, who left it to his daughter, from whom The Castle Society acquired it in 2014.
Date
circa 1894
Material
Wood; Metal, gold; Metal, brass

Related people/businesses/organizations
Elizabeth Hamilton Dunsmuir (owner)
John Cowper Bryden (owner)
John William Bryden (owner)
Gerald Robert Bryden (owner)
Related Associations
Dalzellowlie (house) (was used in)
Royston beach house, residence of Mr. and Mrs. John William Bryden (was used in)