Mauchline ware box (1)

The lid of this box is decorated with a photographic view of Burns Mausoleum, Dumfries and the front with two photographic views of the High Street, Dumfries.   Throughout the 19th century the cult of Burns rose to huge proportions.  Images derived from his life and work, and of the poet himself were frequently used in domestic ornamentation and were to be found in most Scottish homes.  W and A Smith of Mauchline, Ayrshire developed the manufacture of transfer printed treen, or wooden ware which became highly popular as gifts and souvenirs. Later, they used photographs instead of transfers.   Transfer prints of Alloway (Burns Cottage, Monument, Alloway Kirk and Brig O'Doon) are common, but transfer images of Dumfries are rare.