Mauchline Ware are wooden souvenirs manufactured in Scotland, primarily in factories in or near Mauchline and predominantly made of sycamore. The items have various finishes in a large variety of applications. Most Mauchline Ware products have transfers or photographs of popular tourist locations. There were also finishes with tartan, fern and black lacquer.
On offer here is a little pinwheel pin cushion. I love these - there are circles of honey-toned wood on the front and back and around the edge is a padded textile covered with a Royal Blue velvet - where you would push in your pins. My one has lovely clean wood back and front - but there is a little rubbing and loss to the velvet here and there on the edge to the left hand side. This is not such a great issue given this wee cushion is about 140 years old. The wood is still shiny and any white marks on my images are not on the book - but are reflections of light falling on the surface. It would have been an expensive Victorian souvenir which more wealthy tourists might have purchased on their travels in Scotland.
The front cover of the pinwheel has a view of the village of Dunkeld. It lies on the north bank of the River Tay opposite Birnam and is . close to the geological Highland Boundary Fault. Dunkeld is frequently described as the "Gateway to the Highlands" due to its position on the main road and rail lines north. The back cover states that it was made of Dunkeld wood. And has the name: Dunkeld McLean & Son, Publishers.
This is an interesting inscription: Charles McLean was a historical author and retailer who owned "McLeans Bazaar", a corner shop at "8 Athole street" in Dunkeld where he additionally sold "Fancy Wood Work from the Athole Plantations". In 1857 McLean commendably wrote and published "Dunkeld : It's Straths and Glens" which comprehensively details the history and scenic highlights of the area. McLean published updated editions in 1865 and 1879. My pinwheel must date to just after 1882 when Charles died and his son, Alexander took over the business.
Dimensions: The diameter is 5 cm . The depth is 1.5 cm.
It will be posted to you with Royal Mail Recorded postage. FREE POSTAGE
HISTORY: Mauchline Wares are Scottish wooden items which date from about the 1880s - until the 1900s. They are generally wooden souvenirs and giftware - made of fruitwood and decorated with black transfer designs. The scenes are usually of landmarks and popular towns - and spots favoured by tourists. They were very popular in their day and many pieces were exported globally.
The center of the Mauchline Ware industry is the small village of Mauchline - which is located 11 miles inland from the Scottish coastal resort of Ayr. At its peak over 400 people were involved in the manufacture of these small (but always beautifully made) wooden souvenirs. Similar products were also made in Lanark - but most of the pieces are known by the generic name of Mauchline Ware.