Vanilla Ink The Smiddy Creates San Martín Quaich

The North East social enterprise, which opened in 2018, was commissioned by Friends of Duff House to create a gift to present to the Argentine Ambassador during the bicentennial celebrations of the South American General’s visit to Banff in 1824.

San Martín, known as “the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru”, is a true national hero in his home country, whose name and image stir emotions and feelings of pride.

Scott McIntyre, founding Director of The Smiddy, explained:

“We were honoured to be approached to create a special piece of such importance. General San Martín to the Argentines is like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce rolled into one for us Scots! It was vital that we took creative direction not only from his army background but the tale of friendship between himself and James Duff.”

San Martín and Duff, the 4th Earl of Fife, forged a strong bond during their service fighting for Spain against Napoleon. The General travelled north after being in London, staying at Duff House for several days, where he was given the Freedom of Banff during his visit. Since then, there has been a strong bond between the people of Scotland and Argentina.

The quaich, entirely handmade from Fine Silver, carries several nods to the General, his visit to Banff, and his legacy. The handles are expertly saw-pierced in the outlines of both Argentina and Banffshire. Each carries a smoky quartz, only found in Aberdeenshire, with one marking the General’s birthplace of Yapeyú, and the other set exactly where the town of Banff sits within the county.

The bowl sits upon a plinth made up of several overlayed shapes that take inspiration from the leaves of the monkey puzzle tree, and nestled right in the centre, a beautiful rhodochrosite, the national stone of Argentina is bezel set. The plinth design proved particularly tricky, but McIntyre, alongside Lead Goldsmith Jenna Webster, problem-solved to create the nod to the monkey puzzle leaves.

The Smiddy team also suggested creating a ‘sister’ quaich, which will carry similar designs to the original, and eventually be donated to Banff Museum, where several items relating to San Martín already exist. But this one is to be created with a twist!

Every person who attended the celebrations on Monday, August 19th was given the opportunity to hammer the bowl themselves, becoming part of the creation and overall look of the finished piece.

Guests included the current Duke of Fife, Argentine Ambassador, Mariana Plaza, local MSP Karen Adams, and various members of the British San Martín Institute. A sturdy table, vice and silversmithing stake were set up in the adjoining room to the celebrations where attendees queued up to wield the hammer under the watchful eye of the Smiddy team.

Ian Williams, Chair of Friends of Duff House said of the quaich:

“Our huge thanks to Vanilla Ink The Smiddy for a wonderful silver creation that was absolutely fitting for the occasion and for taking part in Monday. I have received so many emails and calls from people that really enjoyed their day (and none that didn't!), and so congratulations to them and all those that took part.”

The sister quaich will now be finished by Smiddy Workshop Manager, Drew Markou, before being donated to Banff Museum.

Vanilla Ink CIC is Scotland’s unique jewellery school. They offer classes for beginners, intermediate, advanced and professionals. They have space for thirty jewellers in their Studios, housing some of Scotland’s brightest talents. Creative Director Scott McIntyre works as an onsite Master Goldsmith and Setter for bespoke jewellery, including remodels and commissions. CEO Ellie Smith-Barratt works as a creative facilitator and business guru. Vanilla Ink has social equality, tolerance and justice at its core, striving to improve the lives of others through craft. They use tailored jewellery classes as part of their 'Making as a Form of Therapy' sessions, aiming to work with vulnerable, hard-to-reach and deserving people to give them

a chance to escape into a world of creativity and feel a sense of achievement. In September 2018, Vanilla Ink: The Smiddy opened as a Centre for Excellence for Silversmithing and Jewellery based in Banff, Aberdeenshire. As the name suggests, The Smiddy was once a Blacksmith’s Workshop and lay derelict for over 30 years until Aberdeenshire Council embarked on a restoration project, rebuilding the workshop as part of Banff’s Regeneration Programme.