Tag

British Museum

All articles tagged with #british museum

history11 days ago•6 min saved

Carlisle Bronze Age Gold Torcs Unearthed by Two Detectorists

Two metal detectorists near Carlisle uncovered three Bronze Age gold torcs dating to around 1100 BC, weighing a combined 18.27 ounces and valued at about $400,000. The torcs are being assessed by the British Museum to determine treasure status, with a coroner deciding if they qualify as treasure; if declared treasure, they could be bought at market value with proceeds shared among the finders and the landowner, otherwise they may be returned to the finders for auction. The discovery came after hours of digging and has been described as a once-in-a-lifetime find by the detectorists.

via Fox News|

#british-museum #bronze-age #carlisle

arts-and-culture1 month ago•195 min saved

Midnight transfer brings the Bayeux Tapestry home to Britain after a millennium

The 11th‑century Bayeux Tapestry, a 70‑meter wool embroidery depicting the Hastings saga, arrived in London in a tightly planned overnight operation with police escort and a specialist art‑transport firm, for display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027. The loan—likely created in Canterbury for Bayeux Cathedral—highlights Franco‑British cultural ties, drew praise from Macron and UK officials, and coincided with record first‑day ticket sales for the exhibition.

via CNN|

#art-transport #arts-and-culture #bayeux-tapestry

culture1 month ago•3 min saved

Bayeux Tapestry Returns to Britain for Landmark Exhibition

The 11th‑century Bayeux Tapestry—technically embroidery rather than a tapestry—arrived in London for a year‑long loan to the British Museum, the first return to Britain in nearly 1,000 years. Transported in a tightly controlled operation from Bayeux, France, via a Channel Tunnel shuttle, the 70‑metre work will be acclimatised before display. Demand is high, with about 100,000 tickets sold on day one and up to 7.5 million visitors expected from September to July 2027. The loan, praised by Macron and UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy as a historic Franco‑British milestone, marks one of the most significant international museum exchanges between the two countries.

via The Guardian|

#bayeux-tapestry #british-museum #channel-tunnel

culture1 month ago•3 min saved

Bayeux Tapestry heads to the British Museum as demand for tickets explodes

Tens of thousands queued for tickets as the 11th‑century Bayeux Tapestry goes on display at the British Museum for 10 months—the first time it’s been shown in Britain—on loan from Normandy during renovations; tickets sold quickly, with prices of £33 peak and £27 off‑peak and free entry for under‑16s, with more sales planned in October and January. The tapestry will be shown flat in a glass case and transported with security via the Eurotunnel.

via BBC|

#art-conservation #bayeux-tapestry #british-museum

world6 months ago•6 min saved

British Museum under fire for removing 'Palestine' labels from ancient exhibits

After pressure from UK Lawyers for Israel, the British Museum removed references to 'Palestine' from 1700–1500 BC displays, replacing them with 'Canaan' and 'Canaanite descent' labels. The museum says the term is only appropriate for the southern Levant in that period, while academics and campaigners argue the move erases Palestinian history and reflects a broader pattern of influence over cultural institutions, a trend expanded to other organizations and educational materials.

via Middle East Eye|

#british-museum #cultural-heritage #historical-labels

art-and-culture7 months ago•5 min saved

Top Art Exhibitions to Experience in 2026

The article highlights major art exhibitions scheduled for 2026, including the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain, a Tracey Emin retrospective at Tate Modern, and significant shows on Hokusai, Schiaparelli, Whistler, Monroe, and Van Eyck, among others, offering a diverse cultural lineup for art enthusiasts.

via The Times|

#art-and-culture #bayeux-tapestry #british-museum

culture8 months ago•2 min saved

UK Treasury to insure Bayeux Tapestry for £800m during British Museum exhibition

The Bayeux tapestry will be insured for £800m during its return to the UK in 2026 for an exhibition at the British Museum, as part of a loan agreement with France, with concerns raised about transportation risks.

via The Guardian|

#art-conservation #bayeux-tapestry #british-museum

science8 months ago•4 min saved

Ancient Relatives of Dinosaur-Resilient Fish Discovered

A new study reexamines over 50 fossils from the Late Triassic period in Britain, revealing they are ancient coelacanths, related to modern species, and correcting past mislabeling. These findings shed light on the diversity and ecology of coelacanths just before the end-Triassic extinction, emphasizing the importance of museum collections in scientific discovery.

via Earth.com|

#british-museum #coelacanth #fossils

world10 months ago•7 min saved

British Museum's First Fundraising Ball Sparks Celebrity Exit and Debate

Campaigners attribute the withdrawal of several celebrities from a British Museum fundraising event to pressure over its ties to BP and companies linked to Israel's actions in Gaza. The museum denies these connections, while critics highlight the event's controversial sponsors and its impact on cultural and ethical standards.

via Middle East Eye|

#bp-sponsorship #british-museum #celebrity-withdrawal

culture1 year ago•3 min saved

Bayeux Tapestry Returns to Britain After 900 Years

The Bayeux Tapestry, a nearly 1000-year-old embroidery depicting the Norman conquest of England, will be loaned to the British Museum from France for the first time since its creation, to be displayed from next autumn until July 2027, marking a significant cultural exchange and anniversary.

via BBC|

#bayeux-tapestry #british-museum #culture

world1 year ago•2 min saved

Unique 18th Century Gold Mourning Ring Discovered in Britain

A metal detectorist in Norfolk discovered a unique 18th-century gold mourning ring believed to commemorate Sir Bassingbourne Gawdry, which was declared British treasure and taken to the British Museum for valuation, highlighting a rare personal historical find.

via Good News Network|

#18th-century #british-museum #metal-detectorist

history1 year ago•3 min saved

Detectorist Discovers Gold Mourning Ring with Skull Engraving in UK Field

An amateur detectorist in Norfolk, UK, discovered an 18th-century gold mourning ring engraved with a skull and inscribed with the death details of Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, suggesting it was a memorial piece linked to British nobility, and now studied by experts at the British Museum.

via Live Science|

#archaeology #british-museum #british-nobility

archaeology1 year ago•2 min saved

Ancient Aztec Fire God Mask: A Conquistador's Treasure

A 600-year-old turquoise-encrusted wooden mask, possibly representing the Aztec fire god Xiuhtecuhtli, is on display at the British Museum. Likely taken by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, the mask features intricate decorations and was possibly used in Aztec rituals. Its exact representation remains uncertain, as it might also depict the god Nanahuatzin.

via Livescience.com|

#archaeology #aztec #british-museum

art-and-design2 years ago•1 min saved

"New Director Appointed to Lead Crisis-Hit British Museum Amid Alleged Thefts Scandal"

The British Museum has appointed Nicholas Cullinan, the current leader of the National Portrait Gallery in London, as its new director, following a period without a permanent leader. Cullinan will face challenges including addressing the fallout from a scandal involving stolen artifacts, leading a fundraising effort for refurbishment, and managing demands for the return of contested artifacts to their countries of origin.

via The New York Times|

#art-and-design #art-historian #british-museum

legalcrime2 years ago•1 min saved

"British Museum Sues Ex-Curator for Theft and Sale of 1800 Artifacts"

The British Museum is suing former curator Peter Higgs for allegedly stealing and selling hundreds of artifacts from its collections online. Higgs, who was fired in July 2023 after over 1,800 items were found missing, is accused of abusing his position to steal ancient gems and gold jewelry over a decade. The museum has recovered 356 items and is seeking the return of more, while a police investigation is ongoing. Higgs, who worked at the museum for over 30 years, is said to be suffering from severe mental strain and has not been charged with a crime.

via Newser|

#artifacts #british-museum #curator