A group of two figures in white biscuit or Parian porcelain depicting the Scottish poet Robert Burns and his mistress (Highland) Mary Campbell, seated on tree stumps, Mary with straight hair tied at the back and bare feet. Beside her a bunch of thistles; a solicitous lover wearing neckerchief, breeches and a cloak.

This group is one item from a number of porcelain works purchased by Queen Victoria at the Dublin Exhibition in 1853. This group is made from a form of porcelain that was intended to imitate carved marble. Known as Parian ware, the new process was soon used to make affordable, scaled-down reproductions of works of art. The group is after a painting by Thomas Faed in Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow.

Both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert repeatedly allowed copies of privately commissioned sculpture to be made in this way, and were enthusiastic collectors of Parian wares themselves.

Text from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love.