New Year's Greeting

Category

Library Item

Item no

17018

Title

New Year's Greeting

Description

An ornate New Year's greeting card is decorated with a medieval inspired border with calligraphy and intertwined flowers. The central image shows a stylised eighteenth century scene. One couple are playing music; the man a cello and the woman a type of piano. They are staring intently, but happily at sheet music. The couple behind are less intent on music making as the man kisses the lady's hand, whilst she looks coquettishly away. The women are wearing long, full dresses and their hair is worn up in elaborate, decorated styles. The men are wearing highly coloured frock coats and knee breeches. They too have dressed hair. A small Pug dog with a red bow stands on the floor. The walls of the salon are decorated with coloured panels and a gilt frame. A decorative screen can also be seen.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1870

Size

9.7 x 14.8 cm

Type

Reproduction

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image comes from a set of family photograph albums known as the Moray Albums. They belonged to a family known as the Stirling Home-Drummond Moray's, an aristocratic, well-connected Scottish landowning family. Originally the name was Drummond, but became hyphenated in 1741 when Agatha Drummond of Blair Drummond married Henry Home of Kames. Their grandson, Henry Home-Drummond married Christian Moray, eldest daughter of Colonel Charles Moray of Abercairny and his wife, Anne Stirling. The Stirling name was added due to the inclusion of Anne Stirling's lands.

The albums contain many pictures of the extended family and other aristocratic connections as well as images of the stately homes at Blair Drummond and Abercairny. The family travelled frequently too through Great Britain and to the continent for holidays in Switzerland. Portraits include Charles Stirling Home-Drummond Moray who became 9th Laird of Blair Drummond, 19th of Abercairny and 11th of Ardoch in 1876 and his wife Lady Ann Georgina Douglas. Their son, William Augustus married the Hon. Gwendolen Edwarde, daughter of the 4th Baron Kensington and there are photographs of the Kensingtons in the second album.

The family used many residences of their extended family as well as their own, which are represented in the albums. The original house at Abercairny; Abercairny Abbey was started in 1805 and demolished in 1960. The present Abercairney House was started in 1842 and is still in use by the family. Their hunting lodge, Connachan Lodge is still in existence and is sometimes rented out. Firle Place, Lewes, Sussex which also appears in the albums is still owned by the Gages.

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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Dogs

Clothing and dress > Garments > Coats

Clothing and dress > Garments > Dresses

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Entertainment and sports > Musicians

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