This penwork Mauchline ware case shows a scene of Mary Stuart and is based on a scene from one of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels. It is stamped 'C. Stiven Lau: Kirk'.

 

The firm of Charles Stiven in Laurencekirk, Scotland, was the most distinguished and celebrated manufacturer of snuff boxes. This fact, combined with the rare design of this card case, makes it very unusual and highly desirable.

 

The hammer price in February 2002 was £340.

 

You can find out more about Mauchline ware at:

http://futuremuseum.co.uk/Collection.aspx/ mauchline_ware/

 

There is also an article in the Library.

 

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