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unusual : collections
London’s a great place for collections, from internationally-recognised
museums to tiny specialist places you wouldn’t notice if you didn’t
know they were there. This is a selection (in no particular order) of
a few favourites, mostly free, and well worth a visit.
The Cuming Museum
Possibly one of the most unusual collections in London, housing the collection
of father and son Richard and Henry Syer Cuming, and the museum of Southwark
history, left to the Metropolitan Borough of Southwark by Henry on his
death in 1902. The Cumings were true collectors, gathering Ancient Egyptian
artefacts, coins, ethnology, local curios, geology, Mexican artefacts,
and local collectors’ collections. This weird and wonderful museum
contains items used by Michael Faraday, collected by Captain Cook, and
– oddest of all - antiques known to be fakes by Henry. Name a 19th
century interest, and they gathered it. In a lovely continuation of the
family’s interests, the museum still collects material relating
to Southwark and local communities.
155-157 Walworth Road, SE17 / Elephant and Castle tube / Open Tue to Sat,
10am - 5pm / Free / Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/DiscoverSouthwark/Museums/TheCumingMuseum
Sir John Soane's Museum
The house, library and museum of Sir John Soane, R.A., architect. Soanes’
disappointment in his two sons, thus leaving his house to ‘amateurs
and students', is our gain - this is a place where time really has stood
still, partly due to a special Act of Parliament Sir John negotiated to
keep the museum in perpetuity. The atmospheric Grade I listed house is
worth a visit alone, but seeing his collection of drawings, sculptures,
paintings, furniture and antiquities is like taking a walk through the
man’s head. Ask the friendly attendants to see hidden items, and
they’ll open drawers, pull out drawings and show you cupboards crammed
with artefacts. During the monthly late night, some rooms are lit by candles.
A delight.
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2 / Holborn tube / Open Tue to Sat, 10am -
5pm and first Tue of every month, 6 - 9pm / Free / Visit www.soane.org
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
One of those places you wouldn’t spot if you didn’t know it
was there. Hidden in the bustle of Bloomsbury is one of the largest collections
of Egyptian archaeology in the world. The museum is based around the collections
of Sir Flinders Petrie, an innovative Egyptologist and the first Edward's
Chair of Egyptian Archaeology and Philology. Containing over 80,000 objects,
from gorgeous pottery and mosaics, zoological and geological material,
to mummified human material and the world's earliest surviving dress,
the collection is clearly presented, and an enjoyably quiet place to while
away a lunchtime.
University College London, WC1 / Russell Square tube / Open Tue to Sun,
10am - 6pm / Free / Visit www.petrie.ucl.ac.uk
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Home of the collection of Eric and Salome Estorick, this Georgian house
holds Italian art from the first half of the 20th Century. The collection
is one of the most comprehensive specialist compilations of internationally-renowned
artists, from Boccioni to Marinetti, Modigliani and de Chirico. Managed
by the Eric and Salome Estorick Foundation set up by Eric just before
his death, the gallery contains a permanent collection, special exhibitions,
library, shop and café specialising in Italian goodies. For Italophiles
and art lovers, and those wishing to enjoy good art in calm surroundings,
it’s a must.
39a Canonbury Square, N1 / Highbury and Islington tube / Open Wed to Sat,
11am - 6pm and Sun, 12 - 5pm / Admission £3.50, Concessions £2.50
/ Visit www.estorickcollection.com
And finally… Are you a collector? For those of you
with your own collections of treasures, why not show them? Orleans House
Gallery in Twickenham is staging A Cabinet of Curiosities –
an exhibition of collections - in early 2006, and its curator has sent
out a call for participants. To lend an item, contact Mark De Novellis
on 020 8831 6000 or email m.denovellis@richmond.gov.uk
For more details, see the press release http://digbig.com/4fjyk.
MC
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