The Hopetoun Sconces are unique in the corpus of Scottish historical silver since no other examples of Scottish-made wall sconces have survived.
They were probably made as part of the original furnishings of the first Hopetoun House, one of the great 'Houses of State' in which was amassed an extensive collection of fashionable silver to complement the architecture of the house. The Hopetoun sconces are the most exuberantly decorated pieces produced by the talented and productive maker, James Penman.
Provenance
Hopetoun House, South Queensferry; Sotheby's (1953); S J Phillips; Sotheby's (2006).