Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Archaeology

  British Pre-historic, Romano-British, Medieval, other British, Classical Archaeology, Egyptology and other foreign archaeology

  The majority of the archaeological collections are small, self-contained collections, and include a comprehensive range of specimens of periods and types from the Ayrshire area. There are also world antiquities including ancient glass, Mediterranean pottery, and pre-Columbian pottery.

  Significant Sub-Collection

  The Robert Munro Collection

  This collection was acquired by the Corporation in 1879, and housed initially in the Burns Monument. It was transferred to the Dick Institute on its completion in 1901. The Robert Munro Collection is an important specialised archaeology collection from lake dwelling sites; including many items figured in Munro’s seminal works of the 1880s (another section of this collection is held by National Museums Scotland). Regularly visited by specialist researchers, the significance of this collection has not decreased with time.

  Archives

  Institutional, Business, Church, Clubs, Societies, Maps, Plans, Official, Oral history, Personal, Estate, State and others

  The formation of the Ayrshire Archives, a cross-authority archive service, has meant that several items have been transferred from our collections to Ayrshire Archives. However, certain classes of archive material have been retained. The main collections in this area fall under the following areas:

  • Items relating to our properties: These include archives relating to Dean Castle and the Dick Institute and to the individuals and families who are closely associated with them.
  • Maps: Ordnance Survey and other maps, which relate directly to the East Ayrshire area. However, it is planned that duplicate OS maps be transferred to Ayrshire Archives.
  • Business, estate, and ecclesiastical records: Relating to the East Ayrshire area. However all ‘Dean of Guild’ records have now been transferred to Ayrshire Archives.
  • Other: Items held by East Ayrshire Libraries at the Burns Monument Centre Kilmarnock and other venues.

  Coin and Medals

  Coins, Medals, Tokens, Badges, Banknotes

  Coins are represented by collections of coins of the World, and of Britain. The British section covers the Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Modern periods, and is comprehensive without including many rare or any particularly important examples.

  • Trade Tokens – a collection of British trade tokens, including a strong Scottish section;
  • Medals – military and commemorative medals – including many of the well-known national examples, and also local ones;
  • Miscellaneous – items such as colliery checks, include mainly local examples;
  • Communion Tokens – this is the most important collection in this category, with over 4000 specimens. Systematic and comprehensive, it covers all Scottish Presbyterian churches and sects, and all parishes. The date range is 17th century to 19th. Smaller sections cover English, Irish and American Presbyterian churches, and other denominations.

  Significant Sub-Collection

  The MacDowall Collection

  This forms the main part of the Communion Tokens collection. Additional sections were contributed by Landsborough and Kater, both important benefactors in other subject areas.

  Costume and Textiles

  Accessories, Designer, Uniform, Regalia, Theatrical, Ladieswear, Menswear, Childrenswear, Religious, Workwear, Tapestry, Embroidery, Carpets, Textiles, Lace, Shoes, Hats and other

  This collection is mainly housed at Dean Castle. Display is primarily in the Dick Institute. The costume selection is relatively small and almost entirely drawn from the local area. The great bulk of it dates to the period 1850-1920, with a few isolated earlier and later examples. Except for military uniforms, male costume is poorly represented.

  Significant Sub-Collections

  Lace and Whitework

  Lace and whitework embroidery have been collected systematically, with examples from all over Europe and further afield. This complements the local selection of Ayrshire embroidery and machine lace. The most important aspect of the last being several thousand designs and samples from the 1880s onwards. The Bryson sub-collection comprises of or includes Ayrshire Needlework, whitework, haberdashery and a reference library

  European Tapestries

  A small but important Howard de Walden Collection housed and exhibited in Dean Castle. Brussels tapestries of the 15th and 16th centuries include an important framed altarpiece by the Master of St Gudule (c.1475).

  Culture

  Cinema, Literature, Media, Music, Theatre and other

  We have representative items from all aspects of this category.

  Significant Sub-Collections

  Robert Burns

  The Burns Collection includes both original items associated with, and in some cases produced by, Burns and his contemporaries, and more recent items produced to commemorate and celebrate him. In addition, East Ayrshire Council holds the properties at the Burns House Museum and the National Burns Memorial.

  McKie Collection

  The McKie Collection of Burns manuscripts and books was purchased in 1882 by public subscription, predating even the Thomson Geological Collection. It was then donated to the Kilmarnock Corporation and housed in the Burns Monument (Kay Park), and for some years added to systematically. Several years ago, all original specimens were removed to more secure and environmentally controlled conditions at the Dick Institute and Dean Castle. This includes manuscript letters and poems (50) including major works – Tam o’ Shanter, The Twa Dogs, Holy Fair, Holy Willie’s Prayer and the Cotters Saturday Night. In some cases, these are the manuscripts for the original publication of the poem concerned. In others, it is an altered version for a later edition. Several manuscripts show extensive alterations in the poet’s hand. The collection of books has examples of all important editions of Burns’ works, including the Kilmarnock (First) and Edinburgh (Second) editions. In addition to paintings and illustrations, some contemporary with the poet, there are artefacts and relics associated with him.

  Musical Instruments

  The Musical Instrument collection holds Recognition Status.

  This collection is housed and displayed in Dean Castle. Some examples are in playing condition. On occasion, performances by professional specialists in period music are arranged to replicate the sound of the musical instruments in the collection. This collection is regularly visited by researchers from all over the world. The sopranino recorder has been used as a model for modern replication. With a few isolated specimens from other sources, it consists of the van Raalte Collection, donated by Lord Howard de Walden along with Dean Castle.

  The van Raalte Collection

  This collection of European musical instruments (100) has numerous internationally important items. The lute and guitar section covers the period 16th to 18th centuries and includes examples of the work of famous makers like Sellas and Tieffenbrucker. Keyboard instruments (all of portable or miniature types) cover much the same period, but include some even earlier examples believed to be from the 16th century. Most are spinets, but there are also examples of the organ, clavichord and harpsichord. The wind section is less comprehensive, but covers the period 16th-19th centuries, with important early examples of the recorder, flute, oboe and cornetto. No violins by famous makers are included but there are a number of important viols, especially 17th century pochettes and 18th century viole d’amore. In addition to these systematic sections, the collection has interesting individual examples of other instruments.

  The Eglinton Tournament

  Items relating to the Eglinton Tournament of 1839, one of the last great events of the Gothic Revival movement. Collections include twenty detailed watercolours by James Henry Nixon, seven marshall tent shields by Samuel Pratt, the silver-gilt statue of the 13th Earl of Eglinton from the Glasgow Eglinton Memorial candelabrum, and other associated items such as handbills and books.

  Decorative and Applied Arts

  Architecture, Basketwork, Ceramics, Contemporary Crafts, Enamelling, Furniture, Glass, Jewellery, Lacquering, Metalwork, Woodwork and other

  We have representative items from all aspects of this category.

  Significant Sub-Collections

  Cumnock Pottery

  At present, there are 170 items in the collection of Cumnock Pottery ranging from miniature pieces to large basins and crocks. Cumnock Pottery began production in 1791 from local clays, firing to a deep terracotta colour and normally decorated with a rich brown glaze. A few items are stamped “Cumnock” or “Cumnock N.B.”. Initially the pottery was made very much for daily use and in the late 19th century, most local homes would have had some Cumnock Pottery. The decoration of items with mottoes in old Scots dialect was very popular and helped continue production into the 20th century.

  Mauchline Ware or Box-ware

  The Mauchline Ware collection ranges from small napkin rings and trinkets to stools and tables. This is believed to be the largest collection in public ownership in Scotland, and second only in Britain to Birmingham Museum’s collection. Beginning with the manufacture of snuffboxes with “invisible hinges” in the early 19th century Mauchline Ware production reached its peak about 1860. Apart from the village of Mauchline, this domestic and souvenir woodware was made in other parts of East Ayrshire – for example, Cumnock, Auchinleck and Catrine. Most Mauchline Ware was produced in one of three distinct ranges: transfer ware, tartan ware, fern ware. Transfer ware was a pictorial souvenir ware, each piece decorated with a view associated with the place of purchase. Mauchline Ware was produced with views of Scotland; England; Canada; USA; Australia. One manufacturer, Smiths of Mauchline, developed an ingenious machine capable of “weaving” coloured tartan designs onto paper. The Mauchline Ware items were decorated with the tartan paper then covered with layers of protective varnish. Examples of fernware were produced later than the others and in smaller quantities. In most cases, actual ferns were used in the decorative process, which remains a secret to this day.

  Domestic Life

  Child rearing, Childhood, Cleaning, Laundry, Food, Drink, Tobacco, Furnishings, Heating, Lighting, Sanitation, Media and Communications, Sewing, Dressmaking and other

  We have representative items for many aspects of this category, but no significant sub-collections.

  Fine Arts

  Drawings, Paintings, Watercolours, Prints, Sculpture and other

  This collection is primarily housed at the Dick Institute. It is exhibited at all venues, with a policy of rotation, which attempts to put all displayable works on exhibition regularly. Unlike the other collections dealt with above, this did not originate from one main private collection. It has grown gradually over the years with the donation of a number of private collections, together with occasional purchases. Some of the most important acquisitions have resulted from benefactors systematically purchasing paintings in order to donate them to the Museum. Particularly important are works presented in this way by Sir Alexander Walker and by George Dunlop. The scope of the collection is Scottish, English and European paintings (four hundred works), drawings, prints and sculptures, covering the period 16th century to present. Several paintings are illustrated in catalogues raisonnes, biographies or period studies. Specialist researchers regularly visit the collection.

  Within this broad heading, a number of strong sections can be identified:

  • European paintings. Ranging in date from 16th century to 19th, these include works by Dutch, Flemish, French and Spanish artists, some of considerable historical importance – such as Herrera, Lairesse, Teniers and Corot;
  • British paintings. This section is primarily 19th century, although it extends into the earlier part of the 20th with, for example, three fine works by Brangwyn. There are works by Constable (3), and Turner, but the most notable are high Victorian works by neo-Classical and pre-Raphaelite artists. This includes major works by Alma-Tadema, Leighton and Millais;
  • Scottish paintings – this is the largest paintings section – includes a strongly representative series of works from the late 18th to early 20th centuries. There are works by artists such as Nasmyth, Raeburn, Robert Scott Lauder, Horatio McCulloch, D.O. Hill, W. Cameron (8), E.A. Hornel (10), G.F. Henry, Samuel Bough, William Mouncy, David Farquharson, William Gibson, Charles Oppenheimer, David Gauld and Stuart Park. Artists with West of Scotland connections are particularly strongly represented. These include some undeservedly little-known outside this area, such as Andrew Law, Brownlie Docharty and Taylor Brown;
  • Works by recent and contemporary artists are not so well represented. These are in a variety of media and include works by Robert Colquhoun, Robert McGilvray, Charles Boyle, David Martin, John Taylor, Nathan Coley, Michael Visocchi, Calum Colvin, Timorous Beasties, and others of more local significance.
  • Prints mainly cover the period mid-19th – mid 20th century and represent English and Continental artists as well as Scottish. Artists represented include Graham Sutherland, Emilio Coia, Wyndham Lewis and Augustus John;
  • Sculpture is mainly bronze. A small section of high quality work by Rodin, McGill, Evans and Schotz;
  • The Penkill Collection is a special sub-section, representing a remnant of the important collection of preRaphaelite art formerly held at Penkill Castle. Mainly comprising watercolours and prints by William Bell Scott and Alice Boyd. This cross-links to the main collections in two ways – both to the Fine Art collection and to the Boyd Collection representing the family papers of the Boyds (formerly of Dean Castle).

  Health

  Alternative, Mental, Pharmaceuticals, Public, Surgery, Emergency Services and other

  The collections contain a very limited range of items relating to this area.

  History of Science

  Astronomy, Chemistry, Electronics, Mathematics, Medicine, Natural, Biological, Physics, Veterinary and other

  The collections contain a very limited range of items relating to this area.

  Industry / Commerce

  Advertising, Agriculture, Brewing, Distilling, Chemicals, Civil Engineering, Clerical, Communications, Computing, Construction, Energy, Fishing, Forestry, Horticulture, Manufacturing, Mining, Retail, Textiles, Tourism, Trades and other

  Much of Ayrshire’s history is bound up in its industrial and commercial activity. There are many items in the collections relating to these fields, but similarly there are a wealth of potential acquisitions to be made. As and when industries or businesses decline or relocate (e.g. lace manufacture, whisky), opportunities to add to collections arise.

  Local Collections

  Material representing East Ayrshire and its Environs

  In addition to the local aspects of the topics covered by the systematic subject collections described above, local social and industrial history has been collected. The results of this are uneven. Some aspects are fairly well covered, others hardly represented at all. Industrial history in particular suffers from patchy coverage. The former industries of bonnet-making and calico printing were of national importance in Scotland, but are represented by only a few specimens, as are others formerly of West of Scotland significance – cutlery, horn work and shoemaking. Ayrshire embroidery is better represented. Mainly models represent engineering. With locomotives etc., preserved in the national and other large museums, there is less need for preservation of large items locally. Other continuing industries are partially represented – especially lace, hosiery, shoemaking, carpets and agriculture.

  Photographs include landscapes, townscapes, portraits and industrial studies, from around 1850 to the present. Heavily used for reference and display, this collection is a priority for expansion to fill gaps in periods and subjects.

  Local archival material relates to former local authorities, local estates, families and businesses. Plans and maps include estate plans as well as published maps. Of direct significance to the Museum itself are the collections of Boyd Family Papers, and Kilmarnock Estates Records, which both include material relating to Dean Castle.

  Maritime

  Exploration, Fishing, Engineering, Navigation, Oceanography, Ports, Rescue Services, Seafarers, Shipbuilding, Trade and other

  East Ayrshire has no coastline, but there are still a limited number of items in the collections directly related to the above categories.

  Natural Sciences

  Fossils, Minerals, Rocks, Mammals, Birds and Eggs, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Insects, Invertebrates, Botany and other

  This is housed and primarily displayed at the Dick Institute, with some 8000 specimens – mostly carefully selected and of high quality. This is the historical origin of the Dick Institute in its present form, since the adoption of that museum as a service funded by Kilmarnock Corporation (1893) and the acceptance of the gift of funds for the construction of the Institute were both specifically to accommodate the Thomson Collection.

  Significant Sub-Collections

  Thomson Collection

  The Thomson Collection is important internationally for 170 specimens of Carboniferous corals from South and Central Scotland including 24 type and 10 figured specimens. Amassing the collection between 1857 and 1900, he pioneered classification methods dependent on the internal structure of the fossil creatures. This was only possible because of his skill in sectioning and polishing the specimens and engraving for illustrations. An important collection in the history of taxonomy. His general palaeontological collection has important fossil fish from the Carboniferous rocks of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. One fish specimen is figured (Traquair, 1913). Most of the collection was obtained from sites (especially mines) that no longer exist.

  Braidwood Collection

  This collection of J Hunter-Selkirk also joined the Museum in 1894, with a fossil section including further type specimens. (However, this wide-ranging collection also contributed antiquities and early printed books).

  Blackwood Collection

  Described as second only to his great friend Dr Heddle as a mineralogist the Blackwood Collection consists of three parts:

  • The mineral and rock collections of some 1500 specimens of predominantly Scottish rocks and minerals;
  • The microscope slide collection including 1000 slides taken from the rock and mineral specimens has a manuscript notebook by Dr Heddle;
  • The collection of 400 Carboniferous fossils is strong in brachiopods. He was also a pioneer in photography, electric light and optics.

  Other Geology Collections

  The local Carboniferous period is most strongly represented in the palaeontological collections. Many other notable individuals (Sinclair, Landsborough, Linton, Lindsay) and institutions (Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers, Kilmarnock Philosophical Institution) have been instrumental in developing high quality, wide ranging, local and national collections of fossils. Specialists like Landsborough on plants and Linton on amphibians seem to have co-operated through the societies to develop systematic collections with few gaps. The Gloag collection of several hundred local agates further enhances the geological collections. The specimens in the existing collections were collected when Scottish (especially Ayrshire) extractive industries were at their height, and specimens of the highest quality resulted. This series of collections is housed mainly in the Dick Institute, and primarily displayed there. The bulk of this material joined the museum collections after the opening of the Dick Institute in 1901.

  Zoology – Vertebrates

  Birds

  There is clear evidence of societies and individuals working together in the period 1910-1940 to form a systematic collection of British birds. The Kilmarnock Philosophical Institute donated a general collection (as well as Pheasants of the World) whilst the Richmond-Paton collection is especially strong in birds of prey. Fisherman/Naturalist J. McCrindle donated seabirds and migratory species. The gaps were filled by active collection and donation, principally by the Kilmarnock Glenfield Ramblers. Archibald Fairburn was a skilled taxidermist and besides doing work for the museum, he donated 130 specimens. A collection of eggs, from the same donors, supports and enhances the mounted specimens.

  Mammals

  Mainly mammals represent other vertebrates from the Ayrshire area (although there is a section on exotic mammals and reptiles).

  Zoology – Invertebrates

  Insects

  The insect collections (some 25,000 specimens) comprise principally of three named collections and exotic specimens, particularly butterflies. The Murphy collection has many good specimens with data from the Clyde Area. The comprehensive collections of beetles and butterflies form a good reference collection but their arrangement is outdated and inconvenient to access. A curious feature is the virtual absence of Heteroptera as Murphy was an authority. The main collection of Heteroptera is possibly elsewhere. The Clark collection of butterflies is more complete than the Murphy and is attractively stored. However, there is less data than the Murphy and the specimens have come from a broader geographical range. The Crainie collection has predominantly butterflies, moths and beetles with small numbers from other orders, from Britain and abroad. There is little data.

  Shells

  The British shell collection is again very broad ranging with 2000 specimens representing 200 species. Gastropods, bivalves, chitons and scaphopods from marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments are all present. Kept separately, there is a collection of shells from Kilmarnock and district comprising thirty-four species. A complimentary collection of 1800 foreign shells includes a particularly important group of Unionids from N. America, many of which are now extinct. The major donor is Rev D Landsborough with contributions, especially of local material, from Rose, McCutcheon and Clark.

  Botany

  This is the smallest of the Natural History collections, with under 1000 specimens. Two discrete named collections are on a Clyde area basis, and one of British plants.

  Photography

  Art, Copies, Film, Archive, Equipment, and other

  The current strengths of these collections are postcards, prints and duplicate copies of local scenes and individuals. Film is under-represented, but there is a good collection of photographic equipment.

  Society

  Crime, Law, Punishment, Education, Politics, Religion and others

  There are representative items of most of these subject headings in the collections.

  Significant Sub-Collection

  Lochnorris Collection

  The Lochnorris Collection contains 1200 items relating to the public and private life of the influential politician James Keir Hardie and his family, principally his daughter Agnes (Nan) and her husband Emrys Hughes. The collection has been acquired almost exclusively from direct family descendants. Furniture, letters, pictures, books, photos and ceramics are all included. Many items were gifts received by James Keir Hardie on world tours so a strong element of ethnography appears in the collection.

  Sport and Leisure

  Sport, Hobbies, Games, Toys and other

  Although some areas of this category are fairly well represented, there are still significant gaps in the collections.

  Transport

  Aerospace, Waterways, Road, Rail and other

  Items related to the railways are well represented, whilst the other sections are not.

  Warfare and Defence

  Wartime life, Army, Navy, Merchant Navy, Air Force and other

  Wartime life is fairly well represented, whilst he other areas are not.

  Weapons and Accessories

  Ammunition, Artillery, Edged weapons, Explosive weapons, Firearms, other weapons, Military uniform, Flags and banners, Armour, other accessories. European Arms and Armour

  Significant Sub-Collection

  The Howard de Walden Collection

  This collection was included in the gift of Dean Castle. The full and half armours (12) of the 16th century are good quality, interesting examples, but include no exceptional specimens. However, there are several outstanding examples of parade pieces including helmets and a comprehensive collection of separate helmets. The swords (100) include a number of very fine and rare types, ranging from the Viking and Crusader periods to the 17th century including several examples made by noted sword smiths in Toledo, Bilbao and Milan and this section of the collection is comprehensive and of international significance. There is a smaller collection of daggers of similar quality. The other sections of the collection do not attempt to be comprehensive, but include important individual items.

  This discrete collection is enhanced by and complements certain of the Dick Institute collections. The Walker Collection of Scottish broadswords are a comprehensive selection from an area not dealt with in depth by the Howard de Walden Collection. This includes all stages of development from the claymore through shellguard swords to basket hilts. The Kater collection of firearms (200) includes early wheel-locks, overlapping with the Howard de Walden collection, but continues through flint-locks and percussion caps to bolt-action weapons. The Walker Collection of Oriental arms and armour provides examples comparative with European specimens, extending the small Oriental selection included for the purpose in the Howard de Walden Collection.

  World Culture

  Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand and other

  Housed at the Dick Institute, this consists of a series of collections, mainly put together in the late 20th century. Most have a local connection by originating from the travels of local people. The main areas represented are Central and Southern Africa, China and South-East Asia, and Australasia (especially Australia and New Guinea). Such material would not now be sought, but it remains a valid part of the Museum collections for historical reasons, and because of the local origin of the collections. It remains useful in providing comparative examples, which help to interpret other ‘active’ collections. This is particularly true for the artefacts produced by recent Stone Age and Iron Age cultures in relation to the Archaeology collection, for Oriental musical instruments and arms and armour in relation to the European collections of these items, and for sculpture and other art forms in relation to the Fine Art collection.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC