◄

The case, by Nathaniel Mills, shows a classic view of the College from the north, with the River Lee in the foreground, with the Clock Tower, Library and Aula Maxima prominent above. The building was opened in November 1849 and the view may well have been taken from a lithographic print by Robert Lowe Stopford.

 

The case is hallmarked Birmingham 1850-1 and may have been made to commemorate the College’s opening, possibly as a special commission; alternatively, it may simply have been a speculative piece inspired by the lithographic print.

 

Castle-tops depicting Irish landmarks or buildings are rare, and to date only two examples of this view of Queen's College Cork are known, the other case being by Frederick Marson (Birmingham 1858). The case pictured sold in 2007 for £6,500.

 

This information was kindly supplied by Michael Holland, University Curator, UCC, who is co-writing a paper on the subject. with Dr Sally Baggott, Curator, Birmingham Assay Office, If you have details of a castle-top showing an Irish landmark, please contact: Michael Holland at curator@ucc.ie or Dr Sally Baggott at sally.baggott@theassayoffice.co.uk