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. Sewing box Sewing box I inherited this sewing box from my mother but it might have been my grandmother's. In the past people used to sew and ... Contributed by Individual
  2. Electrotype picture Electrotype picture This silver electrotype picture was my grandfather's 21st birthday present. It dates from around 1870 and was possibly ... Contributed by Individual
  3. Deed Deed This deed belonged to my father and is signed by the engineer George Stephenson. Contributed by Individual
  4. Trinket dishes Trinket dishes These two small trinket dishes were passed down from my grandparents. One is English the other is Prussian. Both are ... Contributed by Individual
  5. Biscuit barrel Biscuit barrel This multicoloured glass biscuit barrel belonged to my grandparents. It tells us about the American civil war. It's ... Contributed by Individual
  6. LP - State funeral of Sir Winston Church LP - State funeral of Sir Winston Church My dad was a St John's ambulance man who was on duty at Sir Winston Churchill's funeral. He bought this LP as a ... Contributed by Individual
  7. Pinxton cup and saucer Pinxton cup and saucer I purchased this Pinxton china cup and saucer at an auction in Brookhill Hall, Pinxton. The Pinxton factory where they ... Contributed by Individual
  8. Gold pendant Gold pendant A 9ct pendant that has been passed down through the family. Contributed by Individual
  9. Painting Painting This painting provides an emotional link with my forebears and is a reminder of that remarkable generation. I acquired ... Contributed by Individual
  10. EastEnders Street Sign EastEnders Street Sign Albert Square is in the fictitious borough of Walford, in the non-existent postal district of E20 (the latter is ... Contributed by Individual
  11. Perfume bottle Perfume bottle This green glass bottle could also have been used for smelling salts. The owner started collecting them after her ... Contributed by Individual
  12. Original Pudsey Bear Original Pudsey Bear Pudsey is the official mascot of BBC Children in Need. The BBC's first broadcast appeal for children took place in ... Contributed by Individual
  13. Mastermind Buzzer Mastermind Buzzer As the seconds ticked down for the contestants on early editions of Mastermind, Magnus Magnusson would be alerted by ... Contributed by Individual
  14. Dalek Mould Dalek Mould The Dalek, probably the most iconic monster in the history of science fiction television, first appeared in Episode ... Contributed by Individual
  15. Blue Peter Badges Blue Peter Badges A Blue Peter badge is the much sought-after prize on the long running children's show, Blue Peter. Badges are given for ... Contributed by Individual
  16. Railway lamp Railway lamp An LNER lamp with a Welch patent. It belonged to my grandma's sister's husband. Contributed by Individual
  17. Cup and saucer Cup and saucer This cup and saucer were made by Billingsley. I purchased them at an auction in Brookhill Hall, Pinxton. Contributed by Individual
  18. Watercolour of Television Centre Watercolour of Television Centre In the 50th anniversary year of Television Centre, the first-ever purpose-built television building in the world, we ... Contributed by Individual
  19. Toy monkey Toy monkey This was made in the period before mass production when most work was done by hand. Contributed by Individual
  20. Monoscope Camera Test Card Monoscope Camera Test Card In the days before 24-hour TV, channels would often shut down for several hours a day. But this caused a problem for TV ... Contributed by Individual
  21. Mauchline wear Mauchline wear Photographic transfers of places of interest. These would have been bought when on holiday. The owner collected them ... Contributed by Individual
  22. Bakelite Bush Television Set Bakelite Bush Television Set The Bakelite Bush 22, launched in 1952, is regarded by designers and the media as the icon of post-war television sets. ... Contributed by Individual
  23. Statue Statue The owner of this bust is a geologist - the statue was dug up in a back garden in Derby. The house dated from the ... Contributed by Individual
  24. Japanese coffee set Japanese coffee set A set made for export to the English market. Contributed by Individual
  25. First BBC Logo First BBC Logo Abram Games was commissioned to design an on-air image, probably hastened by the imminent arrival of commercial ... Contributed by Individual
  26. Silver teapot Silver teapot The teapot was brought out of Hungary in 1956 during the mass exodus of ethnic Hungarians. Contributed by Individual
  27. Polyphon music box Polyphon music box I inherited this music box from a relative. It would have been created to provide relatively cheap music for the masses. Contributed by Individual
  28. The Poet Tapestry The Poet Tapestry In April 1949 the French government presented the BBC with a large tapestry, Le Poète (The Poet), which was hung in ... Contributed by Individual
  29. Sewing table Sewing table I bought this Japanese sewing table at auction approximately 20 to 25 years ago. It was specifically made for export as ... Contributed by Individual
  30. Back or wig scratcher Back or wig scratcher I do not know whether this is a back or a wig scratcher. My parents bought it in 1989. There are some similar objects ... Contributed by Individual
  31. Big Ben Microphone Big Ben Microphone When the BBC first started in 1922, the hourly chimes were actually played by the announcer on a set of chime bells in ... Contributed by Individual
  32. Bumble bee brooch Bumble bee brooch A dress brooch of diamonds, sapphires, foiled garnet and blister pearl that was bought at auction. Contributed by Individual
  33. Military diary 1893 - 1902 Military diary 1893 - 1902 I inherited this diary from my grandfather. The diary is by William Challinor who was a driver in the horse artillery. ... Contributed by Individual
  34. Dish Dish This Art Nouveau dish is pewter with an enamelled base. It was passed down from my in-laws and was probably purchased in ... Contributed by Individual
  35. Three water vases Three water vases These were used to keep things cool. They belonged to my great-grandma who worked for the Governor in Gibraltar. She ... Contributed by Individual
  36. Egyptian archaeological items Egyptian archaeological items This collection from Egypt / Ancient Greece includes oil lamps, jugs, scarab beetles and coins. They were originally ... Contributed by Individual
  37. Special award Special award This special award was presented to my father, Lieutenant Colonel Gardiner, by the RAC of Belgium in 1947. He graduated ... Contributed by Individual
  38. Daily text book Daily text book The author, Agnes Jane Andrew, lived in a tiny community in the far northeast of Scotland. The book contains ... Contributed by Individual
  39. Copper plaque of The Old Foudroyant Copper plaque of The Old Foudroyant The Old Foudroyant was Nelson's flagship. The plaque was found in the owner's grandparents house. Contributed by Individual
  40. Christening mug Christening mug This mug came from my grandmother's house. I was told it is a christening mug but it seems to have a rather strange ... Contributed by Individual
  41. Photo album Photo album My dad was given this photo album when he served in the navy during the 2nd World War. Contributed by Individual
  42. Designs for Cartier brooch Designs for Cartier brooch Designs and maquettes for a bear brooch for revered jeweller Cartier. The owner's grandfather was a designer - these ... Contributed by Individual
  43. Slate bible and diaries of the Boar war Slate bible and diaries of the Boar war This slate bible and diaries of the Boar War were handed down through my family. The diaries were written by Samuel ... Contributed by Individual
  44. Phoenician Funereal Glass (BC) Phoenician Funereal Glass (BC) I have a cabinet with six pieces of Phoenician funeral glass which were excavated from Tibnin in Galilee by an ancester ... Contributed by Individual
  45. Dog ornament Dog ornament I inherited these items from my granddad. Contributed by Individual
  46. Painting by Massys Painting by Massys An image of Mary, Christ and St John painted by Massys. He was a friend of Patiniere and looked after his children when ... Contributed by Individual
  47. Communion set Communion set This belonged to one of the Cambridge Seven who undertook missionary work and was the first English Bishop in West ... Contributed by Individual
  48. Model steam engine Model steam engine This toy steam engine and whistle was made in Germany and sold in Gamages in London. My partner was given it as a gift ... Contributed by Individual
  49. Wedding doll Wedding doll The doll originally had a veil, painted nails and pierced ears. She's more of an heirloom and was made as a collectable ... Contributed by Individual
  50. Jimi Hendrix poster Jimi Hendrix poster I purchased this Jimi Hendrix Fillmore West poster in an eBay auction. It was made by the graphics company Hapshash and ... Contributed by Individual