Of large size and exceptional weight, based on the fiddle and thread pattern. The actual scoop of wide tapering shape and the central section with thread borders terminating with a small leaf at the scoop end and a larger scrolling leaf at the upper part. The top section with raised motto "Nil Nisi Bonum" upon a garland above a similarly raised badge of the club, being a knuckle or shank of a marrow bone, all above engraved armorials in a shield-shaped cartouche with the date 1835 below. The reverse of the top inscribed "Archibald Davidson" whose arms are engraved on the upper side.
Archibald Davidson, Sheriff of Aberdeen 1848-1865, then Sheriff of Edinburgh until the Sheriffdoms were reorganized in 1872..
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For sheer quality the Marrow-Bone Club scoops are seldom, if ever, surpassed for quality and weight. The club was really a political group whose members were all Whigs. However, politics were seldom discussed at the meetings which took place at Cameron's Tavern in Fleshmarket Close. The motto "Nil Nisi Bonum" translates as "Don't speak ill of anyone" and the distinguished original owner, Archibald Davidson, must have been one of the founder members. Harry A Cockburn wrote "An account of the Friday Club, together with notes on certain other social clubs in Edinburgh" in 1911 and on pages 174-177 he describes this scoop as the earliest he had encountered belonging to "Sheriff Archibald Davidson". Indeed the engraved date "1835" and the date letter of the hallmarks throw up an anomaly of 5 years. The most likely explanation was that the club was founded in 1835 but in 1840 it was decided that all members should have one of these superb scoops made by William Cunningham. Similarly a new batch of the scoops were made in 1852 by James McKay at which time there were 29 members.
Archibald Davidson, originally from Slateford, Leith, lived at 24 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, which is now the home of the Scottish Arts Club.