A George III Scottish silver teapot of bullet form, the slightly squat spherical body and hinge lid chased with bands of rococo scrolls, fruit and scallop shells above a crest and motto, flanked by a scroll handle and fluted scroll moulded spout, on a domed circular foot, Edinburgh 1740 by Edward Lothian, Acting Assay Master mark of David Mitchell, height approx 15cm. Note: the engraved crest of a sun shining on a sunflower and motto 'Non Inferiora Secutus' belongs to the Clan Buchan of Auchmacoy, Aberdeenshire. Struck with the assay mark of David Mitchell, this piece can be dated to between February and September 1740. The previous Assay Master, Archibald Ure, resigned from the post in February 1740 and, in the absence of a suitable candidate to replace him, the role of Acting Assay Master was assumed by the office of Deacon until the post could be filled. David Mitchell, the then current Deacon, struck his mark until September, followed by subsequent Deacons Douglas Ged and Edward Lothian, until the post was filled once again when Hugh Gordon was appointed Assay Master in 1744.