List of Objects

Telling a history of our world through objects

Click on the titles in the blue bar below [Location, Theme, Contributor Type, etc.] and then choose a category to see a list of objects - e.g. click Theme and then click War. (All objects have been classified by their contributor.)

You can also chose to see objects from a particular time period by clicking on the dates in the box below.

To start again and see all the objects, click this link: Start again

Time Periods

  1. Afghan campaign medal 1878 - 1880 Afghan campaign medal 1878 - 1880 This medal was awarded to Alexander Forbes for service in Afghanistan 1878 - 1879-1880. He enlisted in the 1/25th ... Contributed by Individual
  2. Bronze head Bronze head I bought this from a bric-a-brac shop about 10 years ago. I think it's originally from India and it might be a Tara. ... Contributed by Individual
  3. World War II Escape Stairs World War II Escape Stairs During World War 2, communication by telegraph between the British Empire and her allies depended largely on Cable and ... Contributed by Museum
  4. Glass frog Glass frog An Edwardian frog that belonged to my grandmother. I remember seeing him when I was little. He has a small collar and ... Contributed by Individual
  5. Swords Swords I've had these for two years and bought them at a car boot sale. They’re from the late 1800s / early 1900s and are ... Contributed by Individual
  6. Tsar's son's handkerchief Tsar's son's handkerchief We think this belonged to a Russian Tsar's son - my grandmother's second husband worked for the Nobel family and it got ... Contributed by Individual
  7. Key fob watch Key fob watch The watch belonged to my grandfather who used it all his life. It’s gold plated, so was valuable at the time. Contributed by Individual
  8. Teddy bear Teddy bear The bear was a family toy bought in the 1930s. It's an enduring toy and his legs still move. Contributed by Individual
  9. Signed football and programme Signed football and programme Made to commemorate the 1988 Challenge Cup Final and signed by the Arsenal and Luton teams. It shows how sport creates ... Contributed by Individual
  10. Advertising on electric car Advertising on electric car Advertising on an electric car that was made in 1909 by the Baker Motor Vehicle Company who were based in Cleveland. ... Contributed by Individual
  11. BOAC powder compact BOAC powder compact This was bought on flights going between the UK and Nairobi. It shows the style of airline souvenirs and that BOAC was ... Contributed by Individual
  12. Articulated doll Articulated doll This doll was made by Pedigree and dates from 1950. She has joints that move and also used to talk. It was bought in ... Contributed by Individual
  13. West African Ashanti cloth West African Ashanti cloth Each square of the fabric is made on an individual loom and then sewn together. My father acquired it after being ... Contributed by Individual
  14. Rocking chair Rocking chair A Victorian nursing chair that's been used by generations of the same family. Contributed by Individual
  15. Metal puppet Metal puppet The puppet was given to my dad as part payment for architecture plans over 50 years ago. It's used for decorative ... Contributed by Individual
  16. Miniature book Miniature book Made for the shops near The Louvre as early souvenirs. Contributed by Individual
  17. Spice tower Spice tower A Russian/Jewish spice tower that belonged to my great-great-grandfather. He had been kidnapped by the Tsar's family ... Contributed by Individual
  18. Model battleship Model battleship Kaiser Wilhelm was in charge at the time and encouraged children to have military toys. This is a replica of a high ... Contributed by Individual
  19. Clockwork river boat Clockwork river boat A French barrel round clockwork motor powers this. One piece, the zinc hull, was made by George Carettey who worked in ... Contributed by Individual
  20. Clockwork robot Clockwork robot This robot is made from tin plate and looks Japanese as washers are used to keep it together. It shows how clockwork ... Contributed by Individual
  21. Marklin toy bridge Marklin toy bridge Marklin were famous for making transportation models and train sets. They're still in business in Nuremberg. The ... Contributed by Individual
  22. Edwardian chair Edwardian chair A chair with fantastic shape and character that's made of walnut, satin and mahogany. It’s a copy of a Splatt design ... Contributed by Individual
  23. Scrapbook Scrapbook This was made up by my father and is full of newspaper articles, including an article about Amy Johnson arriving in ... Contributed by Individual
  24. Model village carvings Model village carvings These were made by Harry McDonald who made a model village in his garden in Woolmer Green from 1937 - 1971. Contributed by Individual
  25. Creamer and sugar bowl Creamer and sugar bowl A pressed glass creamer and sugar bowl that shows a new method of glass production. It was passed down from my ... Contributed by Individual
  26. Theatrical Autographs Theatrical Autographs Book of Theatrical stars, signitures of hotel residents. Contributed by Individual
  27. Stuffed beadwork snake Stuffed beadwork snake This item was made by a Turkish prisoner during the war. Contributed by Individual
  28. Spoon Spoon A Victorian piece possibly made of horn. Contributed by Individual
  29. Oil lamp Oil lamp This has been in my family since year dot. It’s had quite a journey as it originally came from Belgium, where my ... Contributed by Individual
  30. Flower from Queen Mary's wedding dress Flower from Queen Mary's wedding dress This flower was given to me by the lady who designed and made Queen Mary's dress. It's a tiny piece of history - a ... Contributed by Individual
  31. Model of HM Telegraph Ship 'Monarch' Model of HM Telegraph Ship 'Monarch' HM Telegraph Ship "Monarch" was built in 1945 to lay telegraph cables under the sea. She was needed to replace the ... Contributed by Museum
  32. A Battersea box A Battersea box A box from my mother's collection that could have been used for vanities, cosmetics, pills or snuff. It’s made from ... Contributed by Individual
  33. American hospital teapot American hospital teapot This was used to serve tea at the Hahnemann hospital in Philadelphia. The owner bought it at a flea market in the US. Contributed by Individual
  34. Wooden coal scuttle Wooden coal scuttle A piece covered with flowers and a lion that was made in the 1930s in the Black Forest. It's typical of German style. Contributed by Individual
  35. Cigarette cards Cigarette cards These cards show the history of RAF aircraft when the fighter aircraft were biplanes. Contributed by Individual
  36. Boat Boat The Tavistcok paddle steamer - a sister ship of The Waverley. I knew The Waverley very well as it takes you to the ... Contributed by Individual
  37. Child's rattle and teething ring Child's rattle and teething ring Silver items passed down by my great-grandmother. Contributed by Individual
  38. Children's Necessaire Children's Necessaire An elaborate sewing set, possible of Swiss origin, that would have been used by young girls. Contributed by Individual
  39. French lamps French lamps These lamps belonged to my great-grandmother who came from Belgium. In WW1 they were stolen by the Germans. My ... Contributed by Individual
  40. Miniature camera Miniature camera This was given to me as a 12th birthday present. I used it to take photos of the Queen on her way to her coronation in ... Contributed by Individual
  41. Flintlock gun Flintlock gun The gun was made by gunsmiths in Birmingham and sold by C. Moore gunsmiths agents in London. Contributed by Individual
  42. Egyptian ink well Egyptian ink well This item was made in 1910-20 as a tourist piece. It's an inkwell although it's probably never been used as one and ... Contributed by Individual
  43. Spoons and Vinaigrette Spoons and Vinaigrette Items showing the quality of intricate workmanship. Contributed by Individual
  44. Walter Moorcroft planter Walter Moorcroft planter The planter belongs to my mum. It shows the Hibiscus pattern. Contributed by Individual
  45. A set of Polynesian arrows A set of Polynesian arrows My uncle, from New Zealand, became a missionary and went to the Solomon Islands - we think these were sent as a wedding ... Contributed by Individual
  46. Wooden postcard Wooden postcard The postcard shows Japanese dress of the time and how different materials were used. It was given to me by me ... Contributed by Individual
  47. Decorative box Decorative box This item belonged to my grandfather who brought it back with him from Japan after serving in a POW camp. Contributed by Individual
  48. Pilot's licence Pilot's licence This was an aviator's certificate of the British Empire awarded to my grandfather Harry Hopper Shorter. He flew ... Contributed by Individual
  49. Dress Hook Dress Hook Think how easily we lose buttons from our clothing today. Imagine how annoyed you would have been if you had lost this ... Contributed by Museum
  50. RAF Art RAF Art Artwork of a type done by pilots in the relatively little down time they would have had. Contributed by Individual

BBC iD

Sign in

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.