The Insurance Institute of Dumfries chain of office, 1923 - 1993

This pendant was worn by the Institute President to official dinner functions, throughout Scotland and Carlisle.   Hamilton & Inches was founded in 1866, by James Hamilton and his nephew Robert Inches. The Company remained in the Inches family until it was bought by Asprey Garrard in 1992. In 1998 a management buyout brought it back under Scottish ownership, with stores in Edinburgh and more recently, London. "Consilium Scientia" (Counsel and Knowledge) is the motto of The Chartered Insurance Institute. Hamilton and Inch used this style of makers mark from 1871 to 1961. The ”x” in the Edinburgh hallmark dates the pendant to 1953-1954.