Strange But True

Strange But True

  • Inexpressibles

    The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers,  as they showed off their leg muscles.

  • What did Victoria do first

    after her coronation in 1837?  Have a parliamentary meeting?  Have tea with all the royal dignitaries?  No – she gave her dog, Dash, a bath.

     

  • Now that’s what we call a cake!

    Victoria and Albert’s wedding cake was a colossal 9 feet wide and weighed 300 pounds.

     

  • Victorian ladies’ knickers had no middle

    Once they got all those big dresses on, they couldn’t reach their knickers to pull them down, so they could stand over a potty to wee with these on instead.

     

  • Would you wee in your dining room?

    Victorian gentlemen did! Some dining rooms (like ours) had a special cupboard to house a chamber pot so all the gentlemen could go for a wee without leaving the table (once the ladies had left the room, of course!).

     

  • The last ducking stool to be used in England

    (in 1809) can still be seen not far from us in the Priory Church, Leominster, Herefordshire. It’s huge.

     

Handy Hints

Handy Hints

  • Keeping your kettle clean

    To prevent teakettles coating with lime – put the shell of an oyster in the teakettle and the lime will adhere to it, instead of coating the sides. 1852

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To take mildew out of linen

    Take soap and rub it well, then scrape on some fine chalk, rub that also into the linen, lay it on the grass, as it dries, wet it a little, it will come out at twice doing. 1852

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • Antidote against mice

    Gather wild mint, put it where you wish to keep them out, and they will not trouble you. 1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To remove grease from books

    Lay upon the spoon a little magnesium or powdered chalk, and under it the same; set on it a warm flat iron, and as soon as the grease is melted, it will be all absorbed, and leave the paper clean. 1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • An insect trap

    Scoop out the inside of a turnip, scallop the edges, and place it downward in the earth. The insects will pass into it as a place of retreat through the holes, and the cucumbers, squashes, melons etc., may soon be clear of them.  1852

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

  • To clean gilt buckles, chains &c.

    Dip a soft brush in water, rub a little soap on it, and brush the article for a minute or two, then wash it clean, wipe it, and place it near the fire till dry, then brush it with burnt bread finely powdered. 1823

     

    As with all our historical handy hints, this is a real tip from a Victorian book. We cannot say that it’ll work and it’s up to you if you want to try!

     

Student Conservator of the Year award!

Student Conservator of the Year award!

“…an impressive and complex project which had a great impact on a small museum.  Significant in terms of the methodology used and exceptionally well researched, the project speaks to the power of conservation not only to improve the condition and appearance of an object but also to establish its significance.” 

 

She did it!  Gemma McBader, who worked so hard to research and conserve our Ethioian shiled has just won Student Conservator of the Year at the prestigious ICON Conservations Awards. We are absolutely over the moon for her.

ICON winnerGemma McBader

Here’s what ICON had to say…

Cardiff University Student Joins Impressive List of Winners at National Conservation Awards –

Institute of Conservation Announces Winners of the 2015 Conservation Awards

London, 23 October 2015 –Former Cardiff University student Gemma McBader was among an impressive list of winners for the 2015 Icon Conservation Awards, which were announced at a ceremony in London last night.The ceremony, which was hosted by broadcaster and art historian Tim Marlow, celebrated the highest profile conservation projects in the country.

Gemma was awarded the Pilgrim Trust Student Conservator of the Year Award for her contribution to the Investigation and Conservation of a 19th Century Ethiopian Emperor’s Shield. The project, which sought to establish the 115 year old shield’s significance and scrutinise the use of Silver Dip on tarnished silver-gilt surfaces, was described by the judges as an impressive and complex project which had a great impact on a small museum.

Other winners on the night included the Tate’s high profile Rothko Conservation Project which, following an unprecedented incident of vandalism, rallied international experts to remove indelible graffiti ink from one of the Tate’s most beloved paintings:  Black on Maroon by Mark Rothko; and the high-profile Staffordshire Hoard, which was described by the judging panel as the poster project of the sector.

Sponsored by Beko plc, the Icon Conservation Awards recognise the highest standards of conservation, research and collections care within the UK art and heritage sectors. The winners were announced at a ceremony hosted by the Royal Academy of Art’s Artistic Director Tim Marlow on Thursday 22 October at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in London.

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