Edinburgh Museums and Galleries is home to some of Scotland’s most important, and stunning, decorative art. At the Museum of Edinburgh you will find Scottish pottery, silver and glassware and at Lauriston Castle, you can see beautiful and useful objects carefully arranged within an interior designed by William Robert Reid the early 20th century.
The Museum of Edinburgh houses spectacular collections of decorative art which reveal a rich history of Scottish craftsmanship. This includes beautifully cut and engraved glass and intricately made silver from Edinburgh and Canongate, long case clocks made in Edinburgh, as well as displays of Scottish pottery including the earliest known marked piece of Scottish stoneware and Scottish porcelain dating from the 1760s.
Edinburgh and Canongate Silver
Visit the Museum of Edinburgh and be dazzled by a glittering array of silver. Coffee pots, cake baskets, communion cups, candlesticks and much more can all be seen shining in the oak panelled rooms.
Edinburgh and Canongate Glass
Our glass displays at the Museum of Edinburgh contain all manner of beautiful cut and engraved glass – wine glasses, decanters, jugs, bowls, even a glass hat, sword and trumpet!
Edinburgh and Canongate Longcase Clocks
Visit the Museum of Edinburgh and see our collection of longcase or ‘grandfather’ clocks all made in Edinburgh or Canongate.
Scottish Pottery
Our collection of Scottish pottery at the Museum of Edinburgh focuses mainly on pottery from the East Coast of Scotland, but also includes work from most Scottish makers of the 18th century to the present day.
At Lauriston Castle you can see decorative art in the context of an overall interior design. The interiors are a reflection of William Robert Reid’s refined Edwardian taste along with the collections assembled with great care to create an elegant and comfortable family home.
Lauriston Castle Furnished in style
Inside the Castle you can marvel at Mr Reid’s furniture collection – chairs of all types, sizes and descriptions, wardrobes, cabinets, tables, chests of drawers; pieces from all over Britain and Europe.
A Tapestry of Textiles
Lauriston Castle is filled with colourful textiles and carpets which create a tapestry of textures and colour throughout the Castle’s beautiful and elegant rooms.
Pictures of the Past
The pictures on display at Lauriston Castle were mainly chosen by Mr Reid as part of the overall decorative scheme for the Castle’s interior.
This collection is Recognised as a Nationally Significant Collection by Museums Galleries Scotland.
