Adam Leys or Leis was a Scottish goldsmith based in Edinburgh. [1] He worked for James V of Scotland and, in the 1530s, repaired and refashioned the Scottish crown jewels known as the Honours of Scotland. [2]
In 1530, Adam Leys made a silver chandelier or candleholder for Edinburgh's town council, probably for St Giles' Kirk. [4] He made a silver chalice for James V's almoner in August 1535. [5] On a larger scale, Leys worked on panels of royal heraldry and a "great image" of Saint Andrew to be carved and cast in lead for Holyrood Palace. [6] Leys added the arms of Mary of Guise beneath the saint for her Royal Entry to Edinburgh. [7]
James V employed Adam Leys to repair and augment the crown of Scotland in 1532 and 1536. [8] The treasurer's accounts mention that he added new "spryngis" in 1532. It is perhaps unclear which elements these were, but the record may refer to new Imperial-style arches. [9] The crown was comprehensively reworked again by John Mosman in January 1540, into the form it has today. [10]
Leys also worked on the Sword of Honour, a gift from Pope Julius II, [11] and the silver sceptre, a gift to James IV from Pope Alexander VI in 1494, [12] which he extended from around 53 to 86 cm and gilded. [13] He seems to have cast new elements moulded from the Italian originals. [14] These works to the Honours were probably in connection with ceremonies planned for James V's bride, Madeleine of Valois. [15] The royal accounts recorded these works in the Scots language as:
Leys made an engraved silver seal for David Beaton in 1539. [17]
Adam Leys or Leis was a Scottish goldsmith based in Edinburgh. [1] He worked for James V of Scotland and, in the 1530s, repaired and refashioned the Scottish crown jewels known as the Honours of Scotland. [2]
In 1530, Adam Leys made a silver chandelier or candleholder for Edinburgh's town council, probably for St Giles' Kirk. [4] He made a silver chalice for James V's almoner in August 1535. [5] On a larger scale, Leys worked on panels of royal heraldry and a "great image" of Saint Andrew to be carved and cast in lead for Holyrood Palace. [6] Leys added the arms of Mary of Guise beneath the saint for her Royal Entry to Edinburgh. [7]
James V employed Adam Leys to repair and augment the crown of Scotland in 1532 and 1536. [8] The treasurer's accounts mention that he added new "spryngis" in 1532. It is perhaps unclear which elements these were, but the record may refer to new Imperial-style arches. [9] The crown was comprehensively reworked again by John Mosman in January 1540, into the form it has today. [10]
Leys also worked on the Sword of Honour, a gift from Pope Julius II, [11] and the silver sceptre, a gift to James IV from Pope Alexander VI in 1494, [12] which he extended from around 53 to 86 cm and gilded. [13] He seems to have cast new elements moulded from the Italian originals. [14] These works to the Honours were probably in connection with ceremonies planned for James V's bride, Madeleine of Valois. [15] The royal accounts recorded these works in the Scots language as:
Leys made an engraved silver seal for David Beaton in 1539. [17]