Museum News for March 2022
**English Tourism Week (18-27 March)**
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Visiting the Museum!
Our standard opening hours from the 1st March as we return to Spring/Summer opening times are:
Wednesday-Saturday 10-5pm
Sunday 2-5pm
Closed on Mondays.
Tuesdays are reserved for pre-booked group visits by schools and other parties
www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org
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Object of the Month
The Museum’s ‘Object of the Month’ provides an opportunity to explore interesting and unusual objects from our stores.
March’s Object of the Month chosen by Curator Carolyn Wingfield features three clay tobacco pipe bowls, all recently found in the Castle Street area.
Last autumn, archaeologists monitoring building works at the Fry Art Gallery, Bridge End Gardens recovered two pipe bowls.
In December, sharp-eyed pupils from Year 5 at St Mary’s C of E Primary School discovered a clay tobacco pipe while digging in the school grounds.
In early January, the Museum was delighted to welcome a delegation from Year 5, who very kindly gave their find to the Museum.
Image (left): all three clay pipe bowls found in the Castle Street area.
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Fragments of clay tobacco pipes, especially pieces of broken stems, are common finds. The earliest pipes date from the 17th century, following the introduction of tobacco from America.
Clay pipes continued to be made into the 20th century, although by World War I, smokers were turning to cigarettes and briar pipes.
The three pipe bowls from Castle Street date from the 19th century, when clay pipes were made in great quantities all over the country, and many were decorated with designs or motifs moulded in relief.
The pipe bowl from St Mary’s School probably dates from the later 19th century and has a fine band of leafy decoration within a border running down the front and back of the bowl.
Image (right): St Marys School pipe bowl, showing the distinctive leafy style design
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The two pipe bowls from the Fry Art Gallery are very different. One is plain, though a small ‘spur’ beneath the bowl is stamped with the maker’s initial ‘W’.
The other bowl has elaborate moulded decoration. On one side is the badge of the Prince of Wales, three ostrich feathers and the motto ‘Ich Dien’ (‘I serve’). On the other side, a soldier fires a rifle from behind a tree. He wears the tall hat of an early 19th century infantryman.
The archaeologists (Archaeological Solutions Ltd) who were monitoring the works, dated the pipe to around 1820-1840 and suggested that it commemorated the Napoleonic Wars.
Such pipes would have been popular with former soldiers, or might be marketed to landlords of pubs named the Prince of Wales. A clay pipe with a plug of tobacco would be sold over the bar for a penny. There was a Prince of Wales pub in London Road, Saffron Walden in the 19th century, but there were also a number of pubs in Castle Street where pipes would be sold and smoked.
Image (left): Detail of the Fry Art Gallery pipe bowl, showing an infantry soldier firing a gun
Many thanks to the pupils, staff and governors of St Mary’s C of E Primary School, and to John Ready and the Fry Art Gallery Society for the donation of these pipes and information on their discovery.
Andy Peachey of Wardell Armstrong LLP Archaeological Solutions Ltd provided the identification of the decorated pipe bowl from the Fry Art Gallery.
To find out more visit the Museum in March to see them on display or check out the Blog on our website.
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February Half Term
Thank you to everyone who came along for the Museum Make sessions and/or purchased a click and collect pack. Your model ammonites, mini palaeontology museums & roarsome dino masks were fab.
Stay tuned for details of our Easter holidays events coming shortly.
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The Snapping the Stiletto Project presents:
Radical Women of Saffron Walden walks
Sat 5 March 10am-12.30noon
Historic Creative Writing Walks facilitated by author Hannah Jane Walker
The stormy conditions at the end of February half term resulted in one of our radical women walks being postponed until Sat 5th March.
So there's now another opportunity to book for our exciting creative writing walk exploring the radical historical women of Saffron Walden which were first piloted here in November.
Each of these women are attached to a specific site within the town.
We will begin our journey at Saffron Walden Museum, and then walk between sites. At each site you will learn a little about the radical woman in question and explore their identity and try to bring them to life through simple accessible creative writing exercises. The walk then returns to the museum to learn more about the collections.
No experience of creative writing is necessary.
Free event (but Museum Admission fees still apply)
Book online
https://saffron-walden-museum.arttickets.org.uk/
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Bronze and Bubbles Morning Event
Tues 15 March, 10-12.30noon
Back by popular demand!
Don’t miss this last chance to create your own bronze sculpture using the ancient lost wax method and inspired by the Museum’s historic collections. Workshop lasts 2.5 hours and includes an exhibition tour, introduction to the lost wax method, materials and advice to help you plan and sculpt your masterpiece, with a glass of fizz and snacks to keep you fuelled up. Your wax model then cast in bronze by exhibition artist Kabir Hussain at Walnut Works foundry in Suffolk. Ticket price only £69 covers the workshop, bronze casting and return delivery to the Museum.
Book online
https://saffron-walden-museum.arttickets.org.uk/
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Current Exhibition
Fossilisation: a slice of the Anthropocene
Runs until 20 Mar 2022
Fossilisation features original bronze and mixed media sculpture by acclaimed artist Kabir Hussain.
Drawing on the concepts of fossilisation and preservation and accompanied by objects from across the museum collection, Fossilisation: a slice of the Anthropocene questions what traces of modern society might remain in the fossil and geological record thousands of years from now.
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We are very pleased that Kabir’s original sculptures are for sale throughout the exhibition period, with pieces available for collection once the exhibition has closed.
Kabir has exhibited at the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich, and completed various residencies across London and the East of England. He is based near Woodbridge, Suffolk, where he combines his art with a career as a professional bronze caster, and educational work for students and emerging artists.
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Coming Soon:
All Fired Up
Runs 2 April-3rd July 2022
Volunteers from Essex Fire Museum & Saffron Walden Museum staff have collaborated to create a unique presentation of the history of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, which will go on display here at Saffron Walden Museum from Saturday 2 April.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore some of the fascinating stories of fire-fighting across Essex. The exhibits include a wide range of artefacts, photographs, uniforms and equipment which trace the history of fire-fighting from Victorian times to the present-day. It will also feature private and works’ fire brigades, which were particularly prominent in Essex during the 20th century.
Along with discovering some of the technological developments which have influenced fire-fighting, visitors will also be able to discover heroic stories of bravery and the human stories behind some of the major incidents which have occurred in the county’s history.
The exhibition also touches upon some of the more obscure aspects of local fire-fighting history, including a troupe of fire-fighting scouts, a famous fire-fighting vicar and the story of how an obscure family pet caused a local mansion to go up in flames.
We are still appealing for archival information and items to feature. If you have anything relevant please contact Jenny Oxley, Collections Officer (Human History) joxley@uttlesford.gov.uk 01799 510645
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Lost Language of Nature
See James and Charlotte at work on Wednesdays (usually) in the Museum conserving and restoring delicate taxidermy birds ready for display – and looking for YOUR stories about wildlife in your garden or on your walks! Do you know any old or dialect names for garden birds? Do you know stories from across the world about native birds on other continents? We’d love to hear from you to help create an exhibition and make lasting improvements to how we think about, care for and discuss items in the Museum collections. Find out more, and send in your stories and animal names here: https://www.swmuseumlearning.com/the-lost-language-project Make sure you check out Curiosity Corner in the Museum every month to see the latest specimens we’ve worked on!
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Collections Research
James welcomed Dr Daniel Field from the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, to introduce him to our global collection of bird taxidermy and help identify some items we were unsure of. Daniel’s energy and knowledge are second to none and he corrected most names on the spot – only a few birds of prey still need some more research. The visit also highlighted some very important examples of iconic species from around the world as well as modern stories of species which are becoming endangered through human activity. We look forward to welcoming Daniel back to research our study skins for his own work and to learn and share the stories hidden in our collections.
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Birds on the Move
Our work to eradicate mould from bird taxidermy specimens mounted in historic glass domes is nearly complete. After the Museum heating failed there was an outbreak of mould in one of our stores caused by low temperature increasing the amount of moisture in the air. Mould has been removed from the wooden bases using alcohol. Once treated, each dome is moved to another store which has more equipment to control humidity and temperature. These pheasants from China are the last to be moved for treatment. Usually one of us carries the dome to minimise vibration, however, this time we needed a trolley because the dome is so large and heavy. A Lady Amherst's pheasant is at the front of the glass dome, named after Sarah Amherst who sent the first specimen of this bird to London in 1828. The bird standing on a log at the back of the dome is a Reeves's pheasant, named after John Reeves who sent the first specimens to England in 1831. The colourful male birds both have long ornate tails. They were collected in the nineteenth century and bequeathed to Saffron Walden Museum by Joshua Clarke, honorary curator, who died in 1890.
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Archaeology Collections
Medieval brooch (on display case 21)
The precious stones featured in our February Object of the Month were prized in the Middle Ages. This pretty silver-gilt brooch from Broxted dates from around 1300 – 1350 and has two gemstones: a garnet and a sapphire. Gemstones were not just jewels and status symbols, but were also believed to promote health or protect the wearer. Significance was attached to the colour of the gem. Sapphires, with their heavenly deep blue, were thought to promote fidelity and chastity. They were attributed with cooling and healing powers, especially for the eyes. The same deep blue colour can be seen in medieval stained glass windows and in religious art it was used for the robe of the Virgin Mary. Garnets, being blood-red, were thought to relieve bleeding and disorders of the liver, and perhaps like rubies promoted harmony. In religious lore red gems like garnets were identified with Christ’s blood and sacrifice.
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Roman bronze figurine of an African boy
This small bronze figurine of an African boy dates from the Roman period. It is one of a small number of objects from Roman Britain which portray people of African heritage and was recently featured in an article in Current Archaeology magazine (February 2022 pp 25-6). The figurine was found in the Saffron Walden area by a metal detectorist who has kindly loaned it for display in Saffron Walden Museum. There is a socket in the head so it may have been part of a larger object, possibly a lampstand.
More information can be found on the website of the Portable Antiquities Scheme https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/141318
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Learning & Outreach
Saffron Walden Museum is committed to sharing stories from its collections through its learning and outreach services.
We welcome schools and community groups to the Museum or offer outreach sessions.
Why not book for the next school term or for your community group.
Our loan boxes are also available for hire, £18 for 6 weeks, and will be quarantined in between hires to ensure they are Covid secure.
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Snapping the Stiletto Project:
LGBTQ+ History Month
& online archive
re-launch
February was LGBTQ+ history month and so the Snapping the Stiletto project (of which we are part) asked researcher Elliot Gibbons to update their earlier project of queering objects from within the collections of Southend Museums & Saffron Walden Museum. The online exhibition is now much more interactive, enabling visitors to comment on specific objects of interest. Objects range from 16th century seals to contemporary artworks, exploring diverse themes such as Section 28 & the AIDS crisis, to historical changes in terminology.
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Take a look at the online archive / exhibition: https://www.snappingthestiletto.co.uk/lgbtq-archive-queer-reflections-revisiting-our-collections
Pictured (right): Silver shilling of Queen Anne, 1711, Southend Museums Service; Portrait of a Young Man, c. 1650, Southend Museums Service; Two shells of ramshorn snails mounted on card, Saffron Walden Museum; Mummified remains, Saffron Walden Museum
Stay tuned to our social media and blog posts to find out how the project is celebrating International Women's Day on the 8 March
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Shop Focus
With Mother's Day just around the corner, why not purchase from our range of featured soaps from the Old English Soap Company...
We are stocking the latest new scent which is Jasmine and Wild Strawberry.
It's a moisturising enriched shea butter soap with seaweed, perfumed with a delicate fragrance of Jasmine & Wild Strawberry, a rich scent with flowering jasmine and musk.
Elegant notes of wild strawberries, orange flowers and kiwi complete it's floral and fruity scent.
Wrapped in beautifully illustrated packaging. Vegan friendly and cruelty-free. Plastic-free & fully recyclable packaging. 190g soap bar. Made in England. Priced at an affordable £5.45.
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Volunteering
We are always looking for additional new volunteers to join our welcome desk team on a regular basis.
We would also be delighted to hear from volunteers who are able to provide adhoc ‘cover’ for our regular shift volunteers when they have planned absences such as holidays, hospital appointments, etc.
To find out more about these and ‘Learning and Support’ volunteer opportunities please contact the museum using the details below.
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Website: www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org
Email: museum@uttlesford.gov.uk
Phone: 01799 510333
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