Commemorative beaker, 1911 (1)
The nineteenth and twentieth centuries were an important time
for the development of Maxwelltown. Originally called Brigend, the
area had a reputation throughout Scotland as a hiding place for
criminals.
In 1833, however, Maxwelltown adopted the Police Act which
enabled it to raise money to improve the burgh by such things as
paving and cleaning the streets and putting up street lighting.
These improvements were accompanied by the development of small
scale industries such as tanneries, a brewery, iron foundries,
weaving shops, a brick and tile works and saw mills. Troqueer and
Rosefield Mills were built, new streets were laid out and old lanes
were developed with quality housing for the better off.
By 1900 Maxwelltown had grown from a huddle of thatched cottages
to one of the biggest burghs in south west Scotland. In the 1920s
the town council introduced a radical housing scheme which put the
burgh at the forefront of Scottish municipal social welfare.
Commemorative beakers showing the redeveloped burgh of
Maxwelltown were manufactured by Doulton and Company, Nile Street,
Burslem, Staffordshire.
This beaker was issued to celebrate the Coronation of
George V and Mary on 22 June 1911.
One side of this white beaker has two ovals depicting King
George and Mary, a crown, flags, and banner motifs. The
opposite side shows the Maxwell Family Crest with a stag and holly
tree and the motto 'Reviresco', meaning renewed
or revived.
The 1911 beaker also shows 'John. H. Nicholson
Provost'. John Nicholson was a chemist, and the Provost of
Maxwelltown, 1907-1913.
Object no :
DMDM014a, DMDM014b
Collection :
Creator :
John Leitch
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
height 95mm, diameter (rim) 85mm, diameter (base) 56mm
Materials :
ceramic, earthenware
Location :
NA
Accession number :
DUMFM:0207.108
Copyright :
Dumfries & Galloway Council