A Scottish George III mahogany bottle server by Young & Trotter of Edinburgh, late 18th century

with a pierced carrying aperture above six divisions together with three 19th century cut-glass mallet form decanters and a further group of modern moulded and painted or etched glass bottles

Probably acquired by Sir William Forbes, 6th Bt. (1739-1806)

Probably that supplied by Young & Trotter, Edinburgh, 31 August 1778; 'mahogany bottle server, £0-16-6', NLS (Acc.4796/216)

There are several extant bills for glass decanters, mostly for the 7th Bt. Including one from Child & Co. Potter & Glassmakers, Katherine Street, 'head of Leith Walk', Edinburgh, 10 March 1818; '4 decanters, £1-4-0' and from John Ranken, Flint Glass Manufacturers, Leith Walk, Edinburgh, April 1818; '3 pair of decanters cut design £7-7-6, both NLS (Acc.4796/195)

Tray attractive and with old marks chips and scratches consistent with age and use. Chips to shaped edge on most sides. Three 19th century decanters lacking stoppers with minor scratches and old marks, some minor chips. Modern glass generally good, lacking some stoppers.
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