Bowl, associated with Robert Burns

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This unmarked glazed earthenware bowl is inscribed with Burns' 'Selkirk Grace'. It dates from the second half of the 19th century and was probably made by the Cumnock Pottery in Ayrshire.

The inscription reads, 'Some hae meat that canna eat/ an' some wad eat that want it/ but we hae meat an' we can eat/ sae let the Lord be thankit'.

In the second half of the 19th century, 'couthy' motto ware was very popular. One of the potteries producing such ware at this time was the Cumnock Pottery in East Ayrshire, originally established by James Taylor in 1792.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-865-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEK 303
• Date: 1850 - 1900
  Second half of the 19th century
  
• Material: Brown and cream glazed earthenware. Inscription: Some hae meat and canna eat an some wad eat that want it but wehae meat and we can eat sae the Lord be thankit
  Bowl
  
• Dimensions: 126 mm H x 105 mm D (base) x 220 mm D (rim)
  
• What: Bowl
  
• Subject: Post-medieval pottery and porcelain (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Cumnock Pottery (Maker)
  Robert Burns
  
• Where: Scotland, Ayrshire
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown and cream glazed earthenware bowl inscribed with the 'Selkirk Grace' by Robert Burns, probably made by the Cumnock Pottery, Ayrshire, 1850 - 1900
  
• References:
  • Quail, G. The Cumnock Pottery. Ayrshire Archaeological & Natural History Society: 1993. 
• Translations:
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