Sterling Silver Inkstand with Scottish Theme

This sterling silver inkstand rests on claw & ball feet and has a base with a pen channel, pierced back and side galleries with gadrooned decoration. Engraved on both of the inkwells’ lids is a Scottish thistle and the motto: Nemo me impune lacessit”.

“Nemo me impune lacessit” is a Latin phrase that translates to “No one attacks me with impunity” or “No one can harm me unpunished.” It’s a motto that embodies a sense of strength, defiance, and the willingness to defend oneself.

Use in Scotland:

• Order of the Thistle: It is the motto of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, which is one of the highest orders of chivalry in Scotland.
• Royal Arms of the United Kingdom: It appears on the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for use in Scotland.
• Military Units: Several Scottish regiments have used the motto historically.

Symbolism:

The motto is often associated with the thistle, the national flower of Scotland. The thistle is a prickly plant that symbolizes resilience and the ability to defend oneself. Legend has it that an invading Norse army was thwarted when a barefoot soldier stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain, alerting the Scottish defenders.

The inkstand is hallmarked:

• Leopard’s head for London
• Lion Passant for solid silver
• Date letter “q” for 1911
• Maker’s mark “G & S Co Lt” for Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd