Mauchline Ware Cylindrical Container with Tam O’Shanter and Souter Johnny Image, c. 1890

Mauchline ware glass container (without glass) dating from around 1890. The sycamore box bears a black transfer printed image taken from Burns‘ poem ‘Tam O‘ Shanter‘. It shows Tam and his crony, Souter Johnny at their ease in the inn, before Tam begins his perilous journey home.

The box is in very good condition with a tight-fitting lid.

The town of Mauchline in East Ayrshire became synonymous with souvenirs made from sycamore wood and decorated with famous local landmarks from around Britain. Although the origin probably lies with Charles Stiven (1753-1820) of Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, it was two Mauchline brothers, William and Andrew Smith, who became the prime producers from 1825. At its peak in the 1860s, over 400 people were involved in the manufacture of Mauchline ware and the high quality souvenirs were despatched to all parts of the British Isles, Europe, North and South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.