Rare Victorian Tartan Ware Sewing Reel Box Commemorating Robert Burns

This rare and beautiful tartanware box was made likely circa 1880s as a souvenir item commemorating Robert Burns, who was known then and now as Scotland’s national poet. The town of Mauchline, much famed for its “treen” wares, was a popular Victorian tourist destination as it was where Burns lived and composed much of his work. Burns was known as “The Scottish Bard” and the caption on this box “Scotia’s Immortal Bard” likely refers to the eponymous book written by Robert Grant in 1884, which was a biography of the much lauded poet.

After Prince Albert purchased Balmoral in 1852, a revival of the Scottish Highlands craze swept Victorian Britain, sparking a new craze among domestic tourists. Among the souvenir items available back then was tartanware, which was produced in the Scottish town of Mauchline during the 19th century.

Local sycamore trees were used to make small wooden “treen” everyday objects, then tartan paper would be applied (i.e. “transferred”) and heavily varnished. 

Tartanware was continuously popular up until 1933, when production ceased due to a factory fire. However, these charming antique pieces remain en vogue even in the present.

This particular piece was a thread holder and sewing reel box; the small holes on the side would be used to keep the thread ends separate from each other. Crisp tartan pattern inlay in the Stuart clan pattern.

Price marked at $480 AUD. This is a particularly rare piece; we have found no other examples online of this particular piece.

Measurements: 5cm height, 10 diameter. 

Good antique condition with wear as pictured commensurate with age; clearly a treasured piece, there is nevertheless wear to the transfer portrait and to the box. Overall still an extremely rare, desirable and collectable piece.