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A visitor examines silver items displayed in a glass case, showcasing intricate designs and craftsmanship.

Decorative art

We house 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.


A silver basket featuring a curved handle and decorative flowers


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!


A pink glass vase featuring a pink handle and elegantly shaped


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.


Lauriston Castle Furnished in style

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. 


An Edwardian room in Lauriston Castle Edinburgh, featuring an Edwardian chest of drawers with vases and a candlestick on top. A jade green vase sits on the floor and a large tapestry in greens and browns is framed and displayed on the wall.


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.


Words featuring "The Scottish art collection of City of Edinburgh museums and galleries. Recognised as a nationally significant collection. Authorised by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of The Scottish Government"