Burns

Snuff box lid

Period:

19th Century

Description:

Snuff box formed of wood from the roof of Alloway Kirk. Presented to Dr Grierson's Museum, Thornhill, by Miss Burns of Thornhill, March 1882.  The inscription reads:

 

"I formd part of the / roof of Alloway Kirk / A winnock bunker in the east / There sat auld Nick, in shape o bear / A touzie tyke black grim and large / to gie them music was his charge / he screw'd the pipes and gart them skirl / Till roof and rafters o did ring"

 

The wooden lid is slightly curved and has a black transfer print on top.  The inscription is surrounded by a garland, and includes lines from poem "Tam O'Shanter" by Robert Burns.  Remnants of a wooden hinge can be seen.

Materials/Media:

wood, oak

Dimensions:

length 76mm, width 56mm

Source:

Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura

Accession number:

DUMFM:1965.622

Digital Number:

DMMW037a-d

Copyright:

Dumfries & Galloway Council