Burghead Bull Beaker
A hand-raised silver beaker developed in response to the Burghead Bull, one of the most significant surviving symbols of Pictish carving.
Formed in sterling silver using traditional silversmithing techniques, the vessel is raised and worked through chasing, building both form and surface through repeated, controlled hammer strikes. The resulting texture is integral to the material, carrying the rhythm and force of its making.
The surface draws from the Burghead Bull carvings, a series of stone panels once embedded within the walls of Burghead fort, many of which have been lost or fragmented over time. Rather than replicating the motif directly, the beaker responds to its presence through surface, depth, and interruption suggesting fragments, erosion, and partial form.
Light moves across the vessel unevenly, catching on the chased surface and revealing shifting areas of highlight and shadow. The cylindrical form remains direct and grounded, designed to be held in the hand and used.
Beakers are among the most immediate forms in silversmithing handled directly, without mediation. Here, that directness is paired with a surface that carries memory, place, and the traces of a lost visual language.
Each piece is individually made, with variations in surface and form that reflect the intensity of the process.
Details
- Solid sterling silver
- Hand-raised and hand-chased
- Approx. 60 x 60 x 80mm
- Hallmarked in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Suitable for drinking or as a sculptural object
- Handmade in Aberdeen, Scotland
Each piece is individually made. Variations in surface and form are an intrinsic part of the work.
Additional Information
Each piece is designed and handmade by Scott Smith in his Aberdeen studio using traditional silversmithing techniques.
Rooted in the landscapes, archaeology, and working traditions of North East Scotland, these works translate material, memory, and labour into enduring silver objects; intended to be used, lived with, and passed on.
For commissions, acquisitions, or to discuss this piece further, please contact:
hello@scottsmithdesign.co.uk