Burns is remembered for poems such as Auld Lang Syne and Scots Wha Hae, which remain popular today. On his birthday on January 25, he is remembered with suppers held across Scotland and the world, featuring speeches, Scottish music and generous helpings of haggis.
Here are some lots to help inspire and enhance Burns Night celebrations – or simply to express some Scottish pride.
Staffordshire figure
Hannam’s Auctioneers offers this 12in (30cm) high Staffordshire figure of Robert Burns in its January 23 sale of European and Oriental antiques. Many examples of the poet were produced by Staffordshire. This one, which has an estimate of £15-20, would have been reading a book (now broken off) and is shown with farming tools on the supporting column below, a reference to his background as a farmer.
Scottish literature
Two sales this month offer the chance to buy volumes of Burns’ works. The first, taking place at Australia’s Barsby Auctions on January 19-20, includes a lot with two antique volumes of The Complete Works of Robert Burns, offered along with three volumes by Lord Byron with an estimate of Aus$100.
Later this month in Edinburgh, Lyon & Turnbull offers a lot comprising various works of Scottish literature including The Complete Illustrated Poems, Songs & Ballads of Robert Burns, A Biography of Robert Burns, Portrait of The Burns Country, Centenary Book of the Dumfries Burns Club, Robert Burns and Edinburgh and much more. It has an estimate of £300-500.
Commemorative decanter
Three boxed whisky decanters commemorating the bicentenary of the death of Robert Burns go under the hammer at Huntly Auctions in Aberdeenshire on February 19. Each appears with the armorial badge of The Burns Federation and a unique certificate number, and each decanter depicts a different statue of the poet in Dumfries. The one pictured here has an estimate of £60-80, while the other two have estimates of £40-60.
In the same sale, an antique rootwood walking stick with a double carved head thought to depict Burns is also available.
Map of Scotland
Filled with Scottish pride after an excellent Burns Night celebration? Lyon & Turnbull offers this c.1840 three-volume map of Scotland divided into counties. Northern, central and southern Scotland each fill one of the books, offered in original red morocco gilt covers with an estimate of £300-500.
Bagpipes
Guests to Burns suppers are traditionally ‘piped in’, greeted with the sound of bagpipes. This matched set of old bagpipes, offered with a wooden case, might be too late for this year’s celebrations, but why not get a jump on next year? They go under the hammer at LS Smellie & Sons on January 28, where they have an estimate of £80-120.
Scottish chest
There are also pieces of Scottish heritage to keep in the home and use year-round. This mid-19th century Scottish apprentice cabinet in mahogany from Windsor House Antiques is made of mahogany, retaining its original turned handles and polish. It is priced at £940 and can be found on the dealership’s website (windsorhouseantiques.co.uk).
