Adam Leys
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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. James V gave him a house at the royal mint as a reward for his services.[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] In October 1533, James Hamilton of Finnart was paid for three ounces of gold used to repair the crown.[10] The crown was comprehensively reworked again by John Mosman in January 1540, into the form it has today.[11]
Leys also worked on the Sword of Honour, a gift from Pope Julius II,[12] and the silver sceptre, a gift to James IV from Pope Alexander VI in 1494,[13] which he extended from around 53 to 86 cm (21 to 34 in) and gilded.[14] He seems to have cast new elements moulded from the Italian originals.[15] These works to the Honours were probably in connection with ceremonies planned for James V's bride, Madeleine of Valois.[16] The royal accounts recorded these works in the Scots language as:
- Item, deliverit to the said James [Achesoun] to Adam Leis, goldsmyth, to mend the sword of honour, thre unce of Inglis grotis
- Item deliverit to Adam Leys, goldsmyth, xj unce and ane half of silver, attour the auld sceptour of silver weyand xv unce, to mak ane new sceptour of [silver]
- Item, for gold to gilt the samin [same].[17]
Leys made an engraved silver seal for David Beaton in 1539.[18]