Made in gold and enamel and decorated with precious stones, the Holy Thorn Reliquary depicts the salvation of mankind through the sacrifice of Christ. It was commissioned around 1400-10 by Jean, duc d
A type of tin-glazed earthenware that was popular in Britain (and elsewhere) from the 16th to 18th centuries, Delftware pieces take many forms, from plates and punch bowls to coffee cups, salt cellars
In recent years, British Museum curators have collaborated with scientists and medical experts to explore non-invasive imaging techniques and other scientific approaches to further study Egyptian mumm
The Portland Vase, probably made during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus (27 BC-AD 14), has been considered the most beautiful cameo glass vessel surviving from antiquity. A work of outstanding
The Gayer-Anderson Cat has been one of the most admired objects at the British Museum since its arrival in 1947. A superb example of ancient metal craftsmanship, its elegant form, gold jewellery and e
Discover palaces and parks; tombs and temples; silk-production sites and sacred mountains; emperors and empresses; soldiers and salesmen; princes and potters: a visual feast that captures the flavour
The British Museum has a superb collection of clocks and watches, covering the history of horology since the medieval period in greater depth and diversity than perhaps any other collection in the wor
For 400 years the Lacock Cup had been used as a chalice at a Wiltshire church. But it was once the centrepiece of the high table of a rich local nobleman.
An illustrated adventure telling the story of King Harald Sigurdsson, the last king of the Vikings Based on a true story, Harald’s adventure takes him from a frightened teenager to wealthy and powerfu
Ramesses II, King of Egypt (1279–1213 BC) ascended the throne as the third king of the Nineteenth Dynasty at the age of twenty-five. In his sixty-seven year reign he probably built more temples and si
Masks are objects that demonstrate creative skills of many different periods and cultures. Masks are a nearly universal phenomenon, but their uses and meanings are strikingly different across cultures
The mummy portraits of Roman Egypt are haunting images of ancient faces: anonymous people painted by anonymous artists. And yet, they are historical and cultural documents of outstanding interest and
Barrie Cook, curator of medieval and early modern coinage at the British Museum, drewon previous studies by numismatists, historians, and literary scholars to develop an exhibition that explores the r
This stunning book offers an exceptional view of design, workmanship and craft in paintings and manuscripts, calligraphy, metalwork, ceramics, jade, glass, wood and ivory. The book opens with an expla
This beautiful book offers a striking and unusual view of a wide array of Indian art. It highlights - close up and in colour - outstanding examples of design, workmanship and craft in dramatic sculptu
Showcases key works from six artists who re-defined art in Germany in the second half of the twentieth century: Georg Baselitz; Marcus Lupertz; Blinky Palermo; A R Penck; Sigmar Polke and Gerhard Rich
Model of a Summer Camp is an intriguing object with a range of stories to tell. Originating in the Sakha (Yakutia) region of far northeastern Russia, it depicts a yhyakh celebration – a festival of hu
Published to mark the display of library of exile at the British Museum, this beautifully produced new book reflects on the themes raised by de Waal’s thought-provoking work of art. The introduction f
Reflections: contemporary art of the Middle East and North Africa brings together an extraordinary collection of work from the British Museum for the first time. The contemporary art of the Middle Eas
