If you follow me over on Instagram, you’ll know that most days I share an object from a museum's online collection. Historical objects provide you with an instant connection to the past, whether it be a beautiful piece of jewellery, a lost coin or a forgotten piece of pottery sherd, I love them all! I have scoured all the objects I have shared over on @historyart10 this year, and I have compiled my top ten favourites of 2021. It took a lot longer than it should have, because I couldn't decide!
1. Rosary
I am in love with the design of this unusual and graphic rosary from Germany. Dating 1500-1525 it is made from silver and ivory (I do not condone the use of ivory, I am sharing this piece in a historical context.) Each bead represents the bust of a burgher or maiden on one side and a skeleton on the other. The terminals show the head of a deceased man, with half the image eaten away from decay. Such images served to remind the owner that ‘life is fleeting and that living a virtuous life as a faithful Christian is key to salvation.’
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art
ID: 17.190.306
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2. Roman brooch of a running dog
A Roman brooch in the form of a running dog. It still has traces of striking coloured enamel on its copper alloy surface. It measures L: 41 mm, H: 21 mm, D: 11 mm.
There have been others found similar to this one, such as the brooch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Number: 17.194.2390) I am a huge dog lover and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it!
There have been others found similar to this one, such as the brooch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Number: 17.194.2390) I am a huge dog lover and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it!
© Museum of London.
ID: 3419
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I just adore this Ancient Egyptian sketch! Chips of limestone like this one were used as writing surfaces or sketch pads. The profile drawn on this chip of limestone has been identified as Senenmut, one of Hatshepsut’s well-known courtiers. On the other side is a sketch of a small rodent. I love the idea of a fellow artist practising their drawings skills and recording their ideas all those years ago. There is something really intimate about this object, like the artist laid down their work after a morning sketching. H: 10 cm, W: 16.5 cm.
ID: 31.4.2
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4. Bow shoe buckle
This has to be one of the most gorgeous 18th century shoe buckles I have ever seen. Whoever owned them must have been the envy of all their friends! The buckle below is one of a pair and they were made in England in about 1760. Made from silver fashioned into a bow and set with pastes and amethysts, they were incredibly stylish. Dimensions: L: 5.41, W: 5.7, D: 2.03 cm.
ID: 899-1877
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5. Roman glass bottle with human bones
You may think this is an odd choice for me to add to this list, but I thought the bottle itself was beautiful and its contents very touching. Dating to the 1st century A.D. this beautiful glass bottle contains fragments of human cremated bones. It is remarkable that the vessel is complete and has survived so well. It was found during excavations near Caerleon. H: 33 cm.
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
ID: 31.78/22.3
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6. Portrait miniature of an unknown woman
A captivating oval portrait miniature of an unknown woman, wearing a green dress with a fur trim. Painted by John Smart, England in 1779. It’s such a shame that her identity has been lost to time.
H: 37 mm, W: 30 mm.
H: 37 mm, W: 30 mm.
ID: P.10-1929
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7. Earthenware shoe buckle
Apologies for another shoe buckle on this list, but this earthenware buckle was too beautiful not to include! I love the striking design painted with enamels. I have never seen one of these before, it’s really pretty! Length: 6.4 cm.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
ID: 414:1246/A-1885
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8. Egyptian Plaster Mummy Mask
Beautifully decorated, Roman period Egyptian plaster mummy mask. It is so perfect and colourful that it is hard to comprehend just how old it actually is! If you want to read about the symbolism depicted on this stunning object, I highly recommend reading about it on the Met’s website.
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
ID: 19.2.6---
9. Stag Belt Clasp
Belt clasp dates from AD. 1st – 2nd Century. The bronze clasp shows a highly stylised stag and birds. The S-shaped spirals, herringbone-patterned border and raised circles, finish off the design. It measures: 10.7 x 10.5 x 2.1 cm.
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© The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
ID: 21.166.5
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10. Gold Ring
Found in the 1960’s in Norfolk, this gold Anglo-Saxon ring is beautifully decorated and would likely have been made for a person of high status.
© Norfolk Museums www.norfolkmuseumscollections.org
ID: 1971.44
ID: 1971.44
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