Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Round Box, McPherson Tartan
Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Round Box, McPherson Tartan
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Item Title: Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Round Box, McPherson Tartan
**Additional Description:** A small round lidded box with a tartan-printed cover and matching tartan-covered sides, in red, green, black and gold-yellow. The lid is labeled "McPherson" in gold lettering near the edge. The base and lid are both fully lacquered on the outside, and the interior shows bare, unfinished wood with a gilt-painted rim. Boxes of this shape were typically used as snuff, patch, pill, or trinket boxes.
**Era:** Mid-to-late Victorian, c. 1850-1880 (within the broader c. 1840s-1900 Tartan Ware period).
**History:** Tartan Ware is a type of Mauchline Ware made in and around Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, and by other Scottish makers. Pale woods, often sycamore, were turned on a lathe, covered with printed tartan paper, and heavily lacquered. Queen Victoria's love of the Highlands and Balmoral drove demand, and these pieces were sold to Victorian tourists as souvenirs. Tartans were labeled by clan name, as with this "McPherson" example. Small round turned boxes were among the most common forms.
**Provenance:** Unknown. Please add any known ownership history, purchase location, or family information here.
**Materials:** Turned wood (likely sycamore or similar pale wood) with printed tartan paper covering, clear lacquer finish, and a gilt-painted interior rim.
**Dimensions:** Not provided. It appears to be roughly 2.75 in (7 cm) in diameter and about 0.75 in (2 cm) tall, judging by the hand in the photos. Please measure to confirm before listing.
**Disclaimers / Condition:** Good to fair antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The lacquer has darkened and shows fine scratches, small flecks of loss, and some scuffing on both the lid and the base, with a few more noticeable spots of paper and lacquer loss near the edge. The tartan pattern remains clear and bright. The interior wood is clean, with light gilt wear at the rims. The lid fits the base. The piece has not been professionally authenticated, and the description reflects visual assessment only. Please review all photos.
**Value:** Estimated retail value of $40-$100 USD. The clear clan label, strong red coloring, and lid that fits well support the upper end, while the surface wear and lacquer loss hold it back. Check recent sold listings (eBay sold, LiveAuctioneers, Etsy) for comparable tartan ware round boxes before pricing, as the market varies by tartan name, size, and condition.
Item Title: Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Round Box, McPherson Tartan
**Additional Description:** A small round lidded box with a tartan-printed cover and matching tartan-covered sides, in red, green, black and gold-yellow. The lid is labeled "McPherson" in gold lettering near the edge. The base and lid are both fully lacquered on the outside, and the interior shows bare, unfinished wood with a gilt-painted rim. Boxes of this shape were typically used as snuff, patch, pill, or trinket boxes.
**Era:** Mid-to-late Victorian, c. 1850-1880 (within the broader c. 1840s-1900 Tartan Ware period).
**History:** Tartan Ware is a type of Mauchline Ware made in and around Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, and by other Scottish makers. Pale woods, often sycamore, were turned on a lathe, covered with printed tartan paper, and heavily lacquered. Queen Victoria's love of the Highlands and Balmoral drove demand, and these pieces were sold to Victorian tourists as souvenirs. Tartans were labeled by clan name, as with this "McPherson" example. Small round turned boxes were among the most common forms.
**Provenance:** Unknown. Please add any known ownership history, purchase location, or family information here.
**Materials:** Turned wood (likely sycamore or similar pale wood) with printed tartan paper covering, clear lacquer finish, and a gilt-painted interior rim.
**Dimensions:** Not provided. It appears to be roughly 2.75 in (7 cm) in diameter and about 0.75 in (2 cm) tall, judging by the hand in the photos. Please measure to confirm before listing.
**Disclaimers / Condition:** Good to fair antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The lacquer has darkened and shows fine scratches, small flecks of loss, and some scuffing on both the lid and the base, with a few more noticeable spots of paper and lacquer loss near the edge. The tartan pattern remains clear and bright. The interior wood is clean, with light gilt wear at the rims. The lid fits the base. The piece has not been professionally authenticated, and the description reflects visual assessment only. Please review all photos.
**Value:** Estimated retail value of $40-$100 USD. The clear clan label, strong red coloring, and lid that fits well support the upper end, while the surface wear and lacquer loss hold it back. Check recent sold listings (eBay sold, LiveAuctioneers, Etsy) for comparable tartan ware round boxes before pricing, as the market varies by tartan name, size, and condition.