Late 18th century heraldry design for Maxwell and Borthwick families

David Deuchar (1743 - 1808)
A double-sided sheet featuring heraldry designs for the ‘Lorde of Terrikels’ [sic] and ‘Lorde Borthwik of that Ilke’ [sic]
Hand-coloured, partly engraved and partly drawn in pen ink on paper
Sheet size: 25 x 20 cm.
Signed on both sides
c.1793
Housed in a modern acrylic frame with metal stand
Framed dimensions: 35 x 26 cm.

This fascinating late 18th century double-sided drawing relates to heraldry designs for two ancient Scottish families, the Maxwells and Borthwicks. Partly drawn and coloured by hand, mixed with partly printed designs, these may have formed part of a huge heraldry research project undertaken by the engraver David Deuchar, which was compiled around 1793.

Image 1: The Maxwell family are descendants of the Heryes/Herries family, who were the Lords of Terrikles. The Maxwell motto should be ‘Reviresco’, meaning ‘I flourish again’. However it is shown here as: ‘Durum patientia frango’ meaning ‘I overcome difficulty with patience’, which is actually the motto for the Muir family. Nonetheless a very relevant motto today.

Image 2: The Lords Borthwick (of that ilk)’s motto: ‘Qui conducit’ (here spelt: ‘QVICON…DYE’) meaning ‘One who serves’. Deuchar was a trained goldsmith, who was appointed seal engraver and lapidary to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (later George IV) in c.1786. He was also an ‘associate’ artist of the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland. He famously tutored and nurtured the young Henry Raeburn, who painted Deuchar’s portrait in 1773, which is thought to be his earliest painting. His ‘magnum opus’ was a “Collection of Etchings after the most Eminent Masters of the Dutch and Flemish Schools Particularly Rembrandt, Ostade, Cornelius Bega and Van Vliet Accompanied with Sundry Miscellaneous Pieces and A Few Original Designs by Davd. Deuchar”, which was published in Edinburgh in 1803.

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