Heritage collections
The collections illustrating the history of the University include items dating back to its very early days - three spectacular medieval maces, the 'black stone' on which students sat an oral examination, and the original University seal matrix.
There are also medals won by students competing for the annual 'Silver Arrow' archery competition from 1618 to 1754, sets of College silver, class medals, academic dress, and a huge collection of Scottish Communion tokens, numbering some 12,000 pieces.
Some of Scotland's finest silver, furniture and fine art is housed around the University. Through the Heritage Collections it is possible to trace the changing life of the University, its place in Scottish and its role in the history of education.
Fine Art
The art collections include oil paintings, water colours and prints. There are many portraits of figures connected with the University; also the 'Recording Scotland' collection of art works from the 1940s.
Major artists represented in the collections include Lely, Raeburn, Wilkie, John Duncan, Elizabeth Blackadder, John Bellany, John McLean and Will McLean. Recently restored historical art works include portraits of the Marquis of Montrose and Cardinal David Beaton.
The University holds a large and renowned photographic collection which contains many items by the first pioneers in photography in Scotland. For further information please contact the department of the University Library.
Silver and Decorative Art
The Maces
The University of St Andrews is unique in possessing 3 medieval maces, which you can see below. On the left is the Mace of the Faculty of Canon Law, in the centre is the Mace of the Faculty of Arts and on the right is the Mace of St Salvator's College.
The Archery Medals
70 silver medals and 3 arrows survive from the annual student 'Silver Arrow' archery competition (1618-1754). Each medal is individually designed and they vary in size and grandeur. Some of the winners became, in later life, important figures in Scottish history.
College Silver
The college silver of St Mary's, St Leonard's and St Salvator's includes sets of silver spoons: one was given to each student on matriculation. Other examples of College silver include the Guild cup, 1628 (left) and the Murray cup, 1679-81 (right).
Textiles
Costume Collection
The University has a very large collection of academic dress dating from the mid 19th century. The items featured above are: 3 caps from a set of 6 proposed caps for graduates of St Andrews, made in Paris, following research into academic dress in the 1860s; an Egyptian costume apparently worn by a student at the University in the 1920s; the undergraduate gown of Sir Robert Robertson (1869-1949).
The Caich Balls
This 'nest' of caich balls was recently re-discovered. They were used for playing 'caich', or handball, from the Middle Ages to the 19th Century. The nest and the individual ball have recently been conserved by the Scottish Museums Council. It is hoped that further research into the dates of the fibres and dyes may give a more certain date for the items.
Furniture
Clocks by Joseph Knibb
The furniture collections include many fine pieces, mainly of Scottish workmanship, from the 15th to the 20th centuries. A particular highlight is a set of Knibb Clocks purchased by the University around 1673. In July 1673 Professor James Gregory wrote "I have two pendulum clocks makinge with long swinges, vibrating seconds, (no) strikinge; and also one little pendulum clock vibrating 4 times in a second". These were the two long case clocks and the split second clock.
The St Andrews cupboard
This cupboard is one of the most exquisite pieces in the furniture collection. The front has 12 large carved panels, three of particular significance. These panels each display significant motifs: the rose, a daisy or marguerite and a vine of thistles. They suggest a royal connection to King James IV and Margaret Tudor. These details and the overall design of the cupboard suggest a date of around 1500.
The Parliament chair
This 17th century ceremonial armchair is, according to tradition, the one used by the presiding officer when the Scots Parliament sat in the University's 'Public School' (since renamed 'Parliament Hall') from 1645-1646.
Numismatic and Miscellaneous Collections
Communion tokens
The University's collection of communion tokens contains some 12,000 pieces, mainly from Scotland, but also from the rest of the world. The photograph below shows the oldest datable Scottish communion token from Leuchars, 1612-38.
Medals
The medal collection includes class medals of the University and commemmorative medals from other institutions. The medal illustrated commemmorated the bicentenary of Benjamin Franklin. It was presented to the University by the American Philosophical society.
Highlights
There are many 'special' items which are highlights in any story about the history of the University. The photographs show, the Blackstone, 15th Century (left) and a Terrestrial Globe, 1806 (right)
