From the Collection donated by Jean and Rebecca Pine.
In or about 1825, two men from the small town of Mauchline in Ayrshire, William and Andrew Smith, set up a factory to make snuff boxes. Out of this venture grew an industry which dominated the market in wooden souvenirs during the Victorian era.
Their greatest success from the 1850s onwards was the production of nick-nacks embellished with transferred engravings of scenes in and around Mauchline. They were generally made from sycamore and were varnished to help protect the wood. These souvenirs were produced until 1933 when the last factory producing them burnt to the ground.
The production of “Mauchline Ware” was absolutely phenomenal. To satisfy a craving for Burns Country souvenirs, the Burns related subjects included at least 11 scenes of Burns cottage, 10 of the monument, four of Alloway Kirk, The Auld Brig O’ Doon, The Twa Brigs O’Ayr, Scenes on the Doon, Tam O’Shanter, Souter Johnnie, Poosie Nancies.
Prints and photographs of scenes from Burns’ poetry and songs featured on plain and tartan covered items of every description from book covers and snuff boxes, to vases and sewing kits.
Mauchline Ware is very collectable.
Visit the Mauchline Ware Collectors Club web site