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. Watch Watch This was the watch that my father was issued with when he joined the RAF as a navigator on bombers in WW2. He used it ... Contributed by Individual
  2. Comme de Sissone writing desk set Comme de Sissone writing desk set This tells of the period of the Second World War. It's an interesting and unusual object that came from my father who ... Contributed by Individual
  3. Standard of Ur Standard of Ur The Standard of Ur is from one of the world’s first cities. It shows scenes from the life of a king of Ur, ancient Iraq Contributed by The British Museum
  4. Sampler Sampler The large size of the sampler is very unusual. It was given to me by a friend. Contributed by Individual
  5. Mason's tray Mason's tray After my uncle's death, I found out that he and his wife were masons. The tray belonged to him and might have been a ... Contributed by Individual
  6. Vase (one of a pair) Vase (one of a pair) The vases are hand-decorated with Chinese figures. They’ve been passed down through the family - my great-grandfather ... Contributed by Individual
  7. Scales for weighing guineas Scales for weighing guineas This was used to make sure that a guinea was full weight and hadn’t been shaved. Contributed by Individual
  8. Japanese vase Japanese vase This shows a traditional scene of Mount Fuji and a gingko tree. Designs like these are still found in Japan. My ... Contributed by Individual
  9. John Galliano jacket John Galliano jacket Galliano is a big fashion name and is known for his flamboyant designs. This is a bit more sombre than his usual ... Contributed by Individual
  10. Commemorative Royal mug Commemorative Royal mug The local parish council in Llanharry, a small mining village, commissioned these for school children to commemorate ... Contributed by Individual
  11. Toy lion Toy lion My father worked on the estate of Sir Dennis Lowson in Balcombe, Sussex and was given this lion by the estate. It was ... Contributed by Individual
  12. Swallow pram Swallow pram An old-fashioned buggy that's over 50 years old. It shows the changing style of baby care. Both myself and my sister ... Contributed by Individual
  13. Pinfolds metronome Pinfolds metronome The metronome was made by Pinfolds and is probably Edwardian. I inherited it from my aunt. Contributed by Individual
  14. Steiff squirrel and deer Steiff squirrel and deer These were bought in Berlin in early 1963. They're made by Steiff who usually made teddies so they’re quite unusual. Contributed by Individual
  15. Spode Plate Spode Plate The US patent date for this "spode's jewel" plate is June 15th 1926 and the design is Billingsley Rose. It belonged to ... Contributed by Individual
  16. Indian tobacco pouch Indian tobacco pouch The pouch belonged to my grandfather. It was probably brought as a gift from Canada as his wife's siblings emigrated ... Contributed by Individual
  17. Russian chair-shaped salt cellar Russian chair-shaped salt cellar A different and quirky piece that I inherited from my mum. Contributed by Individual
  18. Telescope Telescope All officer ranks carried these during WW1 as they were an important means of observation at the time. It belonged to ... Contributed by Individual
  19. Silver matchbox Silver matchbox This was given as a 21st birthday gift to my grandfather. The item is actually illegal as it’s made with two different ... Contributed by Individual
  20. Hovedvansoeg Hovedvansoeg This is a silver vinaigrette sponge holder that would have been used to get rid of nasty smells. A Norwegian specimen at ... Contributed by Individual
  21. Napkin ring Napkin ring The ring was made in Calcutta and was passed down from my grandparents. Contributed by Individual
  22. Steiff teddy bear Steiff teddy bear This bear was well used and loved as a play thing. My cousin used to put lipstick on him to make him have a mouth. ... Contributed by Individual
  23. Zimbabwe Bird Zimbabwe Bird My sister & I toured Rhodesia in the mid 1970's where our father had lived for some years. We visited the ruins of the ... Contributed by Individual
  24. Cloth from Ypres Cloth from Ypres My uncle served in the RAF in the 1940s and sent this to my mother. It’s from Ypres, where the famous battle took ... Contributed by Individual
  25. South Atlantic medal South Atlantic medal These were issued to everyone who served in the Falklands. The recipient served on HMS Plymouth as an able seaman in ... Contributed by Individual
  26. Birthday cards Birthday cards These belonged to my husband's mother - I hung on to them when she died. They are first birthday cards and I can’t bear ... Contributed by Individual
  27. Trouser press Trouser press A gentleman moved into the house next to my parents in Penarth and later gave this press to them. My husband liked it ... Contributed by Individual
  28. Enid Blyton memorabilia Enid Blyton memorabilia Enid Blyton was a nursery teacher and these were school reports that she wrote. My late father, whose family name was ... Contributed by Individual
  29. Lundy Island Puffin Penny Lundy Island Puffin Penny Martin Coles Harman produced the coins - 50,000 were made. Production of the coins ceased after Mint took him to court ... Contributed by Individual
  30. Indian sabre Indian sabre If you look in Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight, there are many objects like this. It’s an Indian sabre and used to ... Contributed by Individual
  31. Shelley tea set cup Shelley tea set cup This is an example of Staffordshire type of pottery - it’s a Shelley design that's considered to be pure Art Deco. The ... Contributed by Individual
  32. German doll German doll A family doll that may have come from a granny's sister who emigrated to America. Contributed by Individual
  33. Bronze skillet Bronze skillet This was manufactured by the PH Warner foundry. It was made in a two part sand mould. Contributed by Individual
  34. Metal frame Metal frame A bronze frame showing a crowned goddess. This style is typical of Art Deco. Contributed by Individual
  35. Pair of ceramic firemen Pair of ceramic firemen One of the firemen has a hose and the other looks as if he's blowing a whistle. They might have been issued by the fire ... Contributed by Individual
  36. Floral jug Floral jug A brightly coloured ceramic jug with 'pineapple spout' that may be part of early mass production. Contributed by Individual
  37. Parrot jug Parrot jug This piece of Burleighware shows a parrot and butterflies clinging to the side of a jug. It shows the Victorian ... Contributed by Individual
  38. Flatback porcelain ornament Flatback porcelain ornament Sentimental and religious in theme, this piece has been in the family for over a century and was kept in a cupboard. Contributed by Individual
  39. Toy Roman soldiers Toy Roman soldiers The soldiers originally belonged to a British Intelligence officer who died during WW2. My mother worked as a ... Contributed by Individual
  40. Caterpillar Club badge & letters Caterpillar Club badge & letters These items relate to the experiences of my great-uncle, L.E.Warren, who was a pilot officer originally from Taffs Well. ... Contributed by Individual
  41. Quilt Quilt The quilt was made by my great-great-aunt who moved to the States where quilts were made. She came back on the Queen ... Contributed by Individual
  42. Pair of china nodding dolls Pair of china nodding dolls These nodding dolls were often found at fairs. Contributed by Individual
  43. Pair of wooden chairs Pair of wooden chairs These chairs were brought over from Switzerland by my great-aunt. They’re intricately designed and one is made from ... Contributed by Individual
  44. George III bowl George III bowl A 21st birthday gift from a friend. The bottom of the bowl shows George III and is dated 1797. Contributed by Individual
  45. Pearl china tea set Pearl china tea set This set is an example of popular east European pottery and shows the pearlised glaze popular in the Art Deco era. It ... Contributed by Individual
  46. Royal Worcester jug Royal Worcester jug The jug was given to me by my mother-in-law who used to work for Royal Worcester. Contributed by Individual
  47. The Doll's House book The Doll's House book An interesting piece that illustrates how people used to live and also portrays dolls from around the world. It was ... Contributed by Individual
  48. Ivory cribbage boards Ivory cribbage boards This game originally came from Captain Oates' family home in Gwent. It’s made from a tusk and shows the carving of ... Contributed by Individual
  49. Shell and sharkskin purse Shell and sharkskin purse A Victorian novelty purse (called a 'shanghra') that's made from shell with a sharkskin interior. The purse was a gift ... Contributed by Individual
  50. Scissors Scissors Passed down from my husband's uncle's father who was a tailor. Contributed by Individual