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These two glazed earthenware ornamental figures were said to have been bought around 1837 at a fair at St Boswells in the Scottish Borders. They were known as 'fairings' - gifts from a fair.

Each figure represents a female child standing in front of a green bush.

At the close of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, St Boswells fair was the largest in the south of Scotland for lambs, cattle horses, wool and general business. During a typical fair day between £8,000 and £10,000 changed hands.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-003-221-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEK 107
• Date: Around 1837
  c. 1837
  
• Material: Glazed earthenware
  Figurine, ornamental
  
• Dimensions: 75 mm H x 30 mm W (base)
  
• What: Figurine, ornamental
  
• Subject: Post-medieval pottery and porcelain (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: St Boswells
  
• Event:
• Description: Pair of glazed earthenware ornamental figures, each representing a female child standing on a circular base of green in front of a green bush, dated about 1837
  
• References:
  • Groome, Francis. Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland. London: William Mackenzie, around 1900, p 306. 
• Translations:
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