Mauchline Ware Box with Image of St Peter & St Pauls Church Lingfield (Surrey), Early 20th C.

Mauchline ware box with image of St Peter & St Pauls church in Lingfield, Surrey. Early 20th Century.

The box has two holes at either end but their purpose is not clear. Good condition.

The town of Mauchline in East Ayrshire became synonymous with souvenirs made from sycamore wood and decorated with famous local landmarks from around Britain. Although the origin probably lies with Charles Stiven (1753-1820) of Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, it was two Mauchline brothers, William and Andrew Smith, who became the prime producers from 1825. At its peak in the 1860s, over 400 people were involved in the manufacture of Mauchline ware and the high quality souvenirs were despatched to all parts of the British Isles, Europe, North and South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.