Museum Shopping: Noctural and Tide Computer, a Shakespeare Toy Duck, a Mrs. Delaney Pink Botanical Mug,
Since London will be the focus for the Summer Olympics, we thought we'd explore the British Museum Shop's offerings and, yes, there's no end of the intriguing and unusual. In addition, items are accompanied by small gems of history-laced commentaries.
A replica of a Nocturnal and Tide Computer from 1570, signed by Humphrey Cole, that can be found in the British Museum's collection. One of its faces is a nocturnal clock and the other is a tide computer. The nocturnal or star clock is an artifact that is used to obtain the time at night using the fixed stars in the sky. The abacus or tide computer is used to figure the time of the tides, that greatly affect navigation both in harbors and for fishing. This reproduction was made as faithful as possible to the original but, at the same time, updated and furnished with certain essential elements that make it useful in present times.
The decorative Nautical Compass "has a traditional lace pattern on the lid. The first written references about the use of the navigation needle by Mediterranean navigants date to 12th century, but it is likely that they were being used from even earlier times. This sophisticated "lace" top compass has a Compass Rose of 32 divisions which correspond with each of the 32 rhumbs (each equivalent to 11.25º) and it is provided with an external ring divided in 360 º."
The Procopius metal bookmark "was inspired by the Royal Gold Cup, one of the British Museum’s most precious objects in the medieval collections. The cup is made from solid gold and decorated with translucent enamels which depict scenes of the martyrdom of St. Agnes, who refused the advances of the pagan Procopius and was subsequently imprisoned. Although they were reconciled after Agnes miraculously raised Procopius from the dead, she was accused of witchcraft and condemned to burn. When the flames refused to burn her, Agnes was put to death by a spear."
"The story decorates the surfaces of the Royal Gold Cup, commissioned by the French prince, Jean duc de Berry between about 1370-80, as a gift to Charles V of France. It was passed down through royal hands until it disappeared into obscurity in 17th century Spain. During the Hundred Years War, it came into possession of John, Duke of Bedford, and in the 16th century it was recorded in the household of Henry VIII. It remained in English Royal hands until James I presented it to the Spanish ambassador who negotiated peace between Spain and England in 1604."
The Campaign Lap Desk features a French finish distressed look, with bronze hinges, secret hiding spots, special place for inkwells, styluses and lots of papers. Accessories include two belle epoque styluses and bottle of black ink.
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