A Private Collection of Pencils






An early 19th century gold and hardstone pencil holder


unmarked, circa 1810 The circular shaft set with panels of hardstone (agate, malachite, lapis lazuli), the end bands and slider with floral chasing and set with turquoise cabochons, the lapis lazuli seal engraved with the crests and coronet for James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe, length 10.7cm.
|James INNES-KER (1736-1823), from 1812 the 5th Duke of Roxburghe, having been from 1762 the 6th Baron Innes. He was the son of Sir Henry INNES (1711-62) by Anne Drummond GRANT (1711-71) and great grandson of Hon. Margaret KERR (died 1681) daughter of Hon. Henry KER (died 1642/3) a younger son of the 1st Earl of ROXBURGHE.On the demise of the 3rd Duke in 1807, who had never married, his principal titles, and large and productive estates, were devolved on William Bellenden-Ker, 4th Duke of Roxburghe, who died shortly thereafter, without heirs. The succession was contested by Major-General Walter Ker and the Right Hon. William Drummond; and only at vast cost decided, on 11 May 1812, in favour of Sir James INNES-KER as a result of his descendancy from the 1st Earl of Roxburghe.