CHAPTER 7: MAUCHLINE WARE

Figure 7.1a: Mauchline ware snuffbox, by Crichton of Cumnock, c. 1830. Sycamore, with pen-and-ink decoration showing horses being watered; integral wooden hinge. Width 9 cm (3 5/8 in); depth 4.5 cm (1.8 in). Private collection  

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Figure 7.1b: Mauchline ware snuffbox, c. 1830. Sycamore, with pen-and-ink decoration showing named view of Dalkeith Palace, then seat of Duke of Buccleugh; integral wooden hinge. Width 9 cm (3 5/8 in); depth 4.5 cm (1.8 in). Bleasdales Ltd. Specialist Auctioneers 

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Figure 7.2: Mauchline ware chest, c. 1820. Sycamore, with black pen-and-ink diaper pattern on all visible exterior surfaces; black pen-and-ink rectangular reserve, depicting rustic Scottish scene, in centre of lid; integral wooden hinge; underside of lid painted with polychrome rustic scene (see Figure 7.8); interior with two compartments, containing two sycamore canisters with lids with black pen-and-ink diaper decoration and integral hinges. Height 12.7 cm (5 in); width 22.9 cm (9 in); depth 14 cm (5 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.3: Mauchline ware caddy (tartan ware), by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1850. Sycamore, covered with paper reproducing McPherson tartan; small label with ‘McPherson’ in gilt letters on black ground at rear of lid; narrow black border with gilt motifs around top of lid; silvered hinges and escutcheon; base covered with black Morocco paper; inner rims with gilt motifs on black ground; underside of lid lined with red velvet; two interior compartments, with tartan lids fitted with turned knobs decorated in black and gilt; tinfoil on undersides of inner lids impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms; one also with retailer’s label for William Orr Stevens of Glasgow. Height 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); width 20.3 cm (8 in); depth 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.4: Mauchline ware caddy (transfer ware), by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1860. Sycamore; decorated on front, sides and lid with transfer prints of scenes relating to the poet, Robert Burns; inscription in black ink beneath keyhole: ‘WARRANTED MADE OF WOOD WHICH GREW WITHIN THE RAILING AT BURNS’ MONUMENT’; brass hinges; base covered with red baize; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with two compartments, with lids fitted with turned sycamore knobs; tinfoil on underside of inner lids impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 10.2 cm (4 in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 12.7 cm (5 in). Private collection

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Figure 7.5: Mauchline ware caddy (fern ware), c. 1880. Sycamore; polychrome decoration of ferns on all visible exterior surfaces; no fastening or lock; brass hinges; base covered with black Morocco paper; single interior compartment; lined throughout with silvered paper. Height 7.9 cm (3 in); width 14.6 cm (5 ¼ in); depth 9.6 cm (3 ¾ in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.9: Mauchline ware chest with pen-and-ink decoration, c. 1825. Sycamore; red pen-and-ink vermiculated pattern on all visible exterior surfaces; integral wooden hinge; base covered with red felt; underside of lid lined with brown silk; interior with three compartments, containing two canisters with red vermiculated pen-and-ink decoration and integral wooden hinges, and well lined with pink velvet, with cut-glass sugar bowl. Height 13.8 cm (5 in); width 25.5 cm (10 in); depth 15 cm (5 in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.11: Mauchline ware chest with pen-and-ink decoration, by Crichton & Co. of Cumnock, c. 1840. Sycamore, with black pen-and-ink diaper pattern on all ; black pen-and-ink hunting scene with dog (taken from an engraving, see Figure 7.15) on lid; black pen-and-ink reserves showing kilted huntsmen on front; decorative pressed brass ball feet; integral wooden hinge; base varnished; underside of lid lined with ruched blue silk; interior with two compartments, containing canisters with lids with pen-and-ink diaper decoration surrounding reserves depicting dogs, and integral hinges; tinfoil at base of canisters impressed ‘CRIGHTON & CO CUMNOCK’. Height 13.9 cm (5 ½ in); width 20.3 cm (8 in); depth 12.5 cm (4 7/8 in). © National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh 

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Figure 7.12: Mauchline ware chest with pen-and-ink decoration, by Stiven of Laurencekirk, c. 1830. Sycamore; black pen-and-ink named views of country houses and a castle on all sides and lid: front, Stracathro’; rear: ‘Langley Park’, lid, ‘Keithock’, left side, ‘Edzell Castle’; right side, ‘Burn’; lids of canisters, Dunnottar Castle’, ‘Abbey of Aberbrothwick’ and ‘Finavon Castle’; integral wooden hinge; base covered with black felt; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with three compartments, containing canisters with lids with pen-and-ink decoration of named views, and integral hinges. Stamped either side of lockplate ‘C. STIVEN - LAU:KIRK’. Height 15.2 cm (6 in); width 30.5 cm (12 in); depth 17.8 cm (7 in). Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood, Exeter 

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Figure 7.13: Mauchline ware chest with pen-and-ink decoration, by W. Richmond of Cumnock, c. 1830. Sycamore; red pen-and-ink vermiculated pattern on all visible exterior surfaces, with black pen-and-ink borders of roses and thistles; lid with black pen-and-ink wreath motif of roses and thistles tied with ribbon, beneath inscription ‘BAITH SIDES OF THE TWEED’; integral wooden hinge; base varnished; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with two compartments, containing canisters with all-over red pen-and-ink vermiculated decoration, black pen-and-ink borders of trailing vines and grapes, and central reserves showing left, St Anthony’s Chapel, Edinburgh; right, Elen Stalker Castle, Argyll, on lids; integral hinges and brass knobs; stamped to left of lockplate ‘W RICHMOND’. Height 13.1 cm (5 1/8 in); width 25.4 cm (10 in); depth 13.4 cm (5 ¼ in). © National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh 

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Figure 7.15: Mauchline ware caddy with pen-and-ink decoration, c. 1825. Sycamore; pen-and-ink trailing vine leaves and grapes on a black ground, on all visible exterior surfaces; reserve containing portrait of George IV (taken from an engraving), beneath a crown, on front; scenes of drinking, wild-fowling and fox hunting on sides and rear; crest and initials ‘F. A.’, surrounded by border of thistles and shamrock leaves, on lid. Height 15.2 cm (6 in); width 13.3 cm (5 ¼); depth 11.4 cm (4 ½ in). Private collection

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Figure 7.16: Mauchline ware chest with pen-and-ink decoration, c. 1830. Sycamore; black pen-and-ink roses and thistles on all sides; crest of Sir William Fettes beneath keyhole on front; black pen-and-ink religious scene on lid, taken from engraving (see Figure 7.18), on lid; integral wooden hinge; base covered with green felt; underside of lid lined with padded blue silk; interior with two compartments, containing canisters with all-over black pen-and-ink decoration of roses and thistles; lids with small rectangular reserve depicting a bee below inscription ‘INDUSTRIAL’; turned bone knobs and integral hinges; bases covered with black felt. Height 13.4 cm (5 ¼ in); width 22.9 cm (9 in); depth 14 cm (5 ½ in). The National Trust for Scotland, (The Georgian House, Edinburgh) 

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Figure 7.18: Mauchline ware caddy (tartan ware), by McKerrow of Cumnock, c. 1835. Sycamore; covered with paper painted with plaid pattern on all sides; lid decorated with painted scene of winter landscape with pheasants, edged by narrow borders of gilt lines on black ground; integral wooden hinge; ebonized ball feet (replacement); base varnished; underside of lid lined with red velvet; inner rims painted white; interior with two compartments, with lids decorated with two different patterned papers, and fitted with turned bone knobs; tinfoil on underside of one inner lid impressed with the name ‘McKerrow’ of Cumnock. Height 13 cm (5 in); width 20.8 (8 1/5 in); depth 12.5 cm (5 in). Private collection  

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Figure 7.19: Lid of Mauchline ware caddy (tartan ware), by Stiven of Laurencekirk, c. 1845. Sycamore; covered with paper reproducing McPherson tartan; painted view, inscribed ‘FASQUE’ and framed by narrow black border, on lid; integral wooden hinge; base covered with Morocco paper; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with two lidded compartments with lids; stamped either side of lockplate ‘C. STIVEN - LAU:KIRK’. Height 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); width 15.2 cm (6 in); depth 11.4 cm (4 ½ in). Peter Lipitch, London 

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Figure 7.20: Lid of Mauchline ware caddy (tartan ware), by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1870. Sycamore; covered with paper printed with plaid pattern on all visible exterior surfaces; oval painted scene of tea cultivation and processing based on Chinese gouache, framed with border of gilt motifs, on lid; narrow ebonized lines on all edges; silvered shield-shaped escutcheon; flat, shaped, tartan-covered wooden feet; ebonized integral wooden hinge and inner rims; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with three compartments, two with tartan-covered lids fitted with turned ebonized knobs, and central well, also lined with red velvet, for glass sugar bowl; tinfoil on underside of inner lids impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 11.4 (4 ½ in); width 24 cm depth 9.5 in; depth 12.7 cm (5 in). Private collection

Figure 7.21: Mauchline ware oval-shaped caddy (tartan ware), by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1850. Sycamore; covered with paper reproducing Royal Stuart tartan; black label with gilt letters ‘ROYAL STUART’ at rear of lid; narrow border of gilt motifs on black ground around edge of lid; integral wooden hinge; projecting lip at front of lid to enable opening; no lock or escutcheon; base covered with red Morocco paper; lower inner rim with gilt leaves on black ground; single interior compartment, lined throughout with tinfoil; tinfoil on underside of lid impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 14 cm (5 ½ in); width 10.2 cm (4 in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.22: Mauchline ware sarcophagus-shaped caddy (tartan ware), by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1845. Sycamore; covered with paper reproducing McLean tartan; mother-of-pearl escutcheon; integral wooden hinge; narrow border of gilt motifs on black ground along exterior line of hinge; decorative pressed brass ball feet; inner rims with gilt motifs on black ground; underside of lid covered with red paper; interior with two compartments, with hinged sycamore lids fitted with turned ebonized knobs; tinfoil on underside of one inner lid impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 16 cm (6 ¼ in); width 21 cm (8 ¼ in); depth 13 cm (5 in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire    

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Figure 7.23: Mauchline ware double-ended caddy (tartan ware), c. 1850. Sycamore; covered with paper reproducing Stuart tartan; small black label with gilt letters ‘STUART’ between lids; narrow border of gilt motifs on black ground around edge of lids, and in vertical line in centre of front and rear; projecting lip at front of each lid to enable opening; black labels with gilt letters ‘GREEN’ at front of one lid, and ‘BLACK’ at front of other lid; integral wooden hinges; ebonised bun feet; base covered with white paper printed with pink and green floral sprays; interior with two compartments, lined throughout with tinfoil. Height 8.9 cm (3 ½ in); width 15.2 cm (6 in); depth 7.6 cm (3 in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.24: Mauchline ware caddy (transfer ware), by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1870. Sycamore; large oval photograph, framed by narrow black and gilt border, and black gilt-edged label inscribed ‘Falls at the Hermitage’, on lid; transfer prints of views relating to Dunkeld on front and sides, with names inscribed in black below: front left, ‘DUNKELD CATHEDRAL’; centre, FALLS AT RUMBLE BRIDGE’; front right, ‘VIEW OF DUNKELD’; left side, ‘FALLS ON THE BRAAU NEAR DUNKELD’; right side, ‘TAYMOUTH CASTLE’; transfer prints on sides framed by narrow black and gilt border; front of lid inscribed with verse by poet James Hogg, and ‘Dunkeld McLean & Son, Publishers’; gilt-metal foliate escutcheon; brass hinges; base covered with (replacement) blue Morocco paper; ebonized inner rims; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with two compartments, with sycamore lids fitted with turned sycamore knobs; tinfoil on undersides of inner lids impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); width 20.3 cm (8 in); depth 12.7 cm (5 in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.25: Mauchline ware caddy (transfer ware), by Davidson, Wilson & Amphlet, c. 1860. Sycamore; decorated with transfer prints relating to Dunkeld, Perthshire, on front and lid; ; inscription on front of lid ‘FROM THE ATHOLE PLANTATIONS DUNKELD’ above verse by poet James Hogg and name of retailer, ‘Anderson Bookseller Dunkeld’; brass hinges; base covered with dark green Morocco paper; underside of lid lined with tinfoil; interior with two compartments, with lids fitted with turned sycamore knobs; tinfoil on undersides of main and inner lids impressed ‘DAVIDSON, WILSON & AMPHLET MAUCHLINE’ beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 10.2 cm (4 in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 12.7 cm (5 in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.27: Small Mauchline ware caddy (transfer ware), c. 1880. Sycamore; decorated with transfer prints depicting views of Hastings, East Sussex: lid, Hastings Castle; front left, Old London Road; front right, White Rock Place; brass clasp and no lock or escutcheon; flimsy metal hinges; base covered with dark green Morocco paper; interior lined throughout with silvered paper; two compartments, with sycamore lids fitted with (later) brass finials. Height 9.8 cm (3 7/8 in); width 12.7 cm (5 in); depth 7.6 cm (3 in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.28: Mauchline ware caddy (transfer ware), by Wilson & Amphlet, c. 1880. Sycamore; decorated with coloured transfer prints of seaweed on front and rear, and black transfer print of the Asylum, Denbigh, North Wales, on lid; no fastening, lock or escutcheon; hinge formed of metal pin running through sides and entire length of rear; projecting lip at front of lid to enable opening; base covered with dark blue Morocco paper; tinfoil on underside of lid impressed ‘Wilson & Amphlet Mauchline’. Height 5.1 cm (2 in); width 10.2 cm (4 in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.29: Mauchline ware caddy by Stiven & Sons of Laurencekirk, c. 1860. Sycamore; decorated with painted views, framed with black lines, of named Scottish houses: lid, New Monboddo House (name inscribed in black lettering to lower left; left side, Glenbervie House, Drumlithie (where Stiven once worked as estate joiner); right side, Old Monboddo House; shield-shaped metal escutcheon; integral wooden hinge; base covered with paper; underside of lid lined with blue velvet; interior with two compartments, with plain lids with turned bone knobs and integral hinges; stamped to left of lockplate with Royal coat-of-arms and ‘C. STIVEN & SONS LAURENCEKIRK’, and to right with ‘BOX MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY’. Height 17.8 cm (7 in); width 26 cm (10 ¼ in); depth16.5 cm (6 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 7.30: Two fern ware caddies by W. & A. Smith of Mauchline, c. 1870. Sycamore; each decorated on all visible exterior surfaces with images of ferns and leaves; German silver metal hinges and escutcheons; interior with two compartments, with lids also decorated with ferns and fitted with turned ebonised knobs; tinfoil on undersides of inner lids impressed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’ beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Left: base covered with black Morocco paper; underside of lid lined with dark brown velvet. Right: base covered with crimson baize; underside of lid lined with royal blue velvet. Both caddies: Height 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); width 20.3 cm (8 in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). Private collection (right-hand caddy*) 

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Figure 7.31: Tartan ware caddy, c. 1880. Sycamore; covered with paper reproducing Stuart tartan (damaged); black label with gilt letters ‘STUART’ at rear of lid; photograph of Mossgiel Farm, near Mauchline, framed by narrow black border, on lid; metal clasp and no lock or escutcheon; base covered with black Morocco paper; metal hinges; single interior compartment, lined throughout with silvered paper. The poet, Robert Burns, lived at Mossgiel Farm between 1784 and 1786. Height 10.2 cm (4 in); width 14.3 cm (5 in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). In the collection of East Ayrshire Council (Burns House Museum, Mauchline) 

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Figure 7.32: Painted caddy, by Smiths of Mauchline, c. 1840. Solid sycamore; all-over painted decoration of gilt baroque-style ornament set within squares delineated in green and red; integral wooden hinge; mother-of-pearl escutcheon; ebonized inner rims; underside of lid covered with purple velvet; interior with two compartments, with lids painted with green and black lines, with narrow borders of gilt scrolling motifs on black ground; turned knobs also painted with green and black lines, with plain ebonized border; tinfoil on underside of one inner lid embossed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’ beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 13.5 cm (5 ¼ in); width 26.5 cm (10 ½ in); depth 15 cm (6 in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

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Figure 7.33: Amboyna caddy, c. 1850. Sycamore carcass; amboyna veneer on all visible exterior surfaces; delicate black and gold trim around scalloped base; edges of ebonised inner rims visible on exterior; brass escutcheon; disc-shaped wooden feet; base covered with black Morocco paper; brass hinges; underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with two compartments, with burr amboyna-veneered lids with delicate black and gold trim around edges and turned knobs decorated with gilt motifs; tinfoil on undersides of inner lids embossed ‘SMITH MAUCHLINE MANUFACTURERS TO HIS MAJESTY’, beneath Royal coat-of-arms. Height 13 cm (5 in); width 22 cm (8.7); depth 14.2 cm (5 5/8 in). Private collection