Rare Surname Carved Heraldic Scottish Bench

**Dram** · 10th March 14, 04:25 PM

Greetings,

I recently purchased an antique carved mahogany Scottish bench. It has the National Arms of Scotland, and also has carved thistles with serpents and two other panels that contain thistles with the St. Andrews cross. A very unusual piece in that it seems to have an Asian influence in the carvings. The bench is solid mahogany and was purchased in the United States. The arms have carved boars heads also. Not long ago I posted a blanket chest that was presumably English and had a medieval-like panel that also had a an Asian style to it. I also recently saw a 16th century Scottish carved wood coat of arms...again with Asian styling. I thought I'd share the photos.

Another bit of interest is that there is a personal crest carved into the bench. I researched it, and it seems to belong to the surname Wordie. It would be interesting to know if this piece has any connection to Sir James Mann Wordie...the explorer. The Wordie surname seems to be rare at least in my experience. If there is a connection I wonder how the bench arrived in the United States.

**Dram** · 10th March 14, 04:28 PM

**SlackerDrummer** · 20th March 14, 06:53 AM

Well, it's really more of an homage to the arms of the monarch of Scotland. But it is a nice carving for sure.

**Dram** · 20th March 14, 01:05 PM

Thank you SlackerDrummer. I can say having it in my possession a bit longer that it is made of some pretty nice mahogany and much of the carving is very nicely done, especially the thistles, leaves, and the Unicorns down to their chains. It remains a mystery however, as to which Wordie family it belonged.

Someday i'd like to have a "piping" room...this bench would add some ambiance.