A piece of wonder, or what four fragments of the Taj Mahal can tell us about monuments in India
What is a piece of the Taj Mahal doing in a case with a Sumerian tablet, an Ostrich shell necklace, and an amulet from ancient Egypt? What can it tell us about monuments and conservation practices in India?
26 March 2024
This Temple is not a Temple: The Taylor Collection at MAA
What is this object meant to be? Why is it in this museum and not that one? Rhea Tuli Partridge asks simple but crucial questions about a model temple in the Taylor Collection at MAA.
16 January 2024
Kui Elephant Catchers and the Pakam Rope: From Thailand to Cambridge
In March 2023, a new object came into MAA's care – a เชือกปะกำ (Pakam rope). Alisa Santikarn and Imogen Coulson explore the journey that it took from Thailand to Cambridge, through an online exhibition.
12 December 2023
Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill and Asmat Shields
In 1935, Lady Churchill donated three Asmat shields from Papua New Guinea to MAA. Nick Stanley explores their journey to the museum, their efficacy, and their relevance today.
28 November 2023
From Russia with Radioactivity: Misidentified Objects and Hazards
A series of surprises leads Katrina to improve the provenance record of a beaded necklace from Russia, and identify a new hazard in the collections at MAA: radioactive uranium glass beads.
10 October 2023
The Story of a Tent and its Gypsy Maker
Cambridge anthropologist Ivor Evans' interest in the heritage of British Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities led to the preservation of objects familiar to rural Britain in the 1930s.
26 September 2023
Made of Straw
Three straw hats exemplify intricate craft skills, raising questions about creators, evolving techniques, and the contemporary relevance of a versatile and historically significant material like straw.
19 September 2023
The Divine Union of Ganesha and India’s Metallurgical Marvels
An exquisite brass artwork from India portrays Ganesha with Siddhi & Riddhi, skilfully blending metallurgy, culture, and Hindu spirituality, creating a captivating symbol of depth and devotion.
15 August 2023
Adorned in Brilliance: A Kingfisher Headdress and its Royal Symbolism
Experience the allure of a late 19th-century Kingfisher headdress, a majestic symbol of imperial power and feminine elegance, adorned with vibrant feathers and intricate artistry.
8 August 2023
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