All articles tagged with #british museum
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The British Museum is suing its former curator, Peter Higgs, for the return of stolen artifacts, alleging that he stole or damaged over 1,800 items from its collections and sold hundreds on eBay. A London judge has ordered Higgs to return any gems or jewelry from the museum in his possession within four weeks and has also instructed PayPal to disclose data related to his eBay accounts. Higgs disputes the accusations, with his lawyers stating that he is "suffering from severe mental strain" and unable to effectively respond to the proceedings.
The British Museum is suing former curator Peter Higgs over the alleged theft of almost 2,000 items, including ancient gems and gold jewelry, from its collections over the course of a decade. Higgs, who denies the allegations, was ordered by a High Court judge to list or return any items in his possession within four weeks. The museum has recovered 356 of the missing items so far and hopes to retrieve more. A separate police investigation is ongoing, and the museum's reputation has been damaged by the episode.
Construction on a parking lot at Burghley House in England led to the discovery of a 1,800-year-old marble head of a Roman lady, followed by a Roman bust, with experts unsure of how they ended up buried on the property. The statues have been put on display at Burghley House and the find has been reported to the British Museum for further study.
An amateur metal detectorist in the UK discovered a 3,000-year-old gold clasp, likely made in Ireland, that would have been used to fasten clothing during the Late Bronze Age. The artifact, found in Staffordshire, is considered a significant cultural link between Ireland and Britain during that period. The "beautifully preserved" piece, measuring approximately 5 inches, is one of seven found across England and Wales and is deemed one of the UK's most important archaeological discoveries of 2022. The British Museum plans to acquire it as part of its permanent collection.
The British Museum has recovered over 350 ancient artifacts, including engraved gems and jewelry, that were stolen from its store rooms by a former curator. Some of the recovered items, dating back to ancient Rome, are now on display in the exhibition "Rediscovering Gems." While over 1,000 items are still missing, the museum is hopeful about their recovery. The exhibition aims to be transparent about the thefts and the museum's efforts to retrieve the items, shedding light on the underappreciated ancient jewelry through a display with small torches for proper viewing.