This is a Victorian Scottish Mauchline Ware box in a combination of the Floral White Ware and Photographic Ware finish, featuring the 'BIRTHPLACE OF BURNS - AYR', and dating to around 1880.

The box is made from copal varnished sycamore & is constructed using 'tongue and lap' joints, with a thumb press catch to the front & two hinges to the rear (the hinges are the less common, non decorative hinges, where only the interlocking joints are visible from the outside).

The interior of the box is lined in a royal blue 'morocco' paper with an unvarnished bottom, & the base is finished in a royal blue 'morocco' paper.

The top of the box is decorated with a chromolithographic print of a spray of Chrysanthemum ?, with an applied, oval photographic transfer of the cottage where Robert Burns was born & is entitled the 'BIRTHPLACE OF BURNS, AYR'.

Condition is fine, the 'thumb press' part of the catch is, as is usual, missing & there are two very small spots of varnish missing to the top of the Floral print - please see magnified photos. About a 3rd of the paper on the base is missing & the rest has the expected wear.

The box closes tightly & the hinges are perfect.

The box measures approx 4 5/8" long, 3 3/8" wide, & 2 1/8" high (approx 11.7cm x 8.6cm x 5.3cm).

Overall, a fine Mauchline box in an uncommon combination of finishes, & in great condition for it's 130 odd years.