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7 Jun 2021

Quirky decanters and drinking vessels

Written by Sarah Beattie, Curator – Ayrshire & Arran/Dumfries & Galloway
A faded sepia photograph of a group of people sitting around a table drinking. The logo of Naked Wines is in the bottom right of the image.
Detail from a photograph showing the 12th Duke of Hamilton and friends enjoying a glass of wine
Join us in celebrating our partnership with Naked Wines by raising a glass to some of our more unusual wine-related items from the collection at Brodick Castle.

Like many of us, the Hamilton family (who owned Brodick Castle for over 600 years) enjoyed nothing more than a glass – or two – of wine. However, unlike most of us, the Hamiltons were extremely wealthy, and as well as indulging in the finest wines, beers and spirits they purchased a large collection of quirky and unique decanters and drinking vessels to enjoy them.

Click on the images below to find out more about them.

A group of 19th-century owl-shaped drinking horns, with 9 small owls and 1 very tall one.The bases are made from a light-brown horn, and all have a silver owl head on top, with orange eyes. Dodo decanter at Brodick Castle Ornate silver-gilt beaker, engraved with harvesting scenes and the Zodiac sign for Virgo. A silver bowl, forming a cup, is held above the head of a silver woman, supported by her hands on either side. Her long gown forms the body of the cup. It is displayed against a plain grey background. A stirrup cup designed in the shape of a brown hare's head. The cup sits on top of its head. A silver wine label for a bottle, engraved with CHAMPAGNE A silver and gilded cup is formed into the shape of a small cannon, supported by a wooden frame on either side. It is displayed against a plain grey background. A tall silver bottle, with its body wrapped in a tight basket-like material. It has a silver stopper arranged just above the top of the bottle.

You can see all these items and more in our collections at Brodick Castle.

Member offer

Enjoy 12 delicious bottles of wine from the world’s best independent winemakers for just £47.88 – saving £75.

Even better, Naked Wines will donate 20% of proceeds back to the Trust for every case purchased.

Snap up your exclusive case from our friends at Naked Wines.

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