Find something on display: Animal
Abalone shell
Showing the encrusted outer part and mother-of-pearl interior of the shell.
Reference: L639
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Abalone shell with outer part removed
Removal of the encrusted outer side leaves the mother of-pearl inner layer. It is this iridescent (light-refracting) material that has attracted and fascinated people for centuries and been used extensively for decoration.
Reference: 2010.12.3
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Bead or gaming counter with hole in centre
Bone
Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Copeland
Reference: 2121
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Beaker
Horn
Presented by Mr H. Stokes
Reference: 6751
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Bone comb
Anglo-Saxon
Found in an Anglo-Saxon rubbish pit at number 1 Watling Street, Canterbury, by Frank Jenkins in 1948.
Reference: 6415
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Bone knife handles
Reference: 4560, 4561
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Bone or ivory carving of a saint 16th – 17th century, Florence, Italy
Depicts a saint in monk’s clothing holding and pointing to a large Communion host inscribed ‘I H S’.
Presented by Mr Ingram Godfrey, 1899
Reference: 1890
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Bone or ivory carving of Jesus carrying his cross
16th – 17th century, Florence, Italy
Depicts Jesus carrying his cross on the way to Calvary, with two soldiers behind him.
Presented by Mr Ingram Godfrey, 1899
Reference: 1889
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Box decorated with inlay Charles Carrick of Canterbury
Mother-of-pearl, ivory, wood and metal
Reference: 4653
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Buffalo powder horn
Buffalo horn and leather
Reference: 4829
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Card case
Tortoiseshell inlaid with mother-of-pearl
Bequeathed by John Irving, 1915
Reference: 5279
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Chopsticks in a case
Bone or ivory sticks, case inlaid with mother-of pearl
Reference: 4616
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Dish from one piece of mother-of pearl
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.240
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Dolls shoe
Bequeathed by Miss G H Veraguth to the daughter of Dr Wynn and presented to the Museum in memory of Miss Veraguth, 1974
Reference: 9870
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Fish lures or hooks
Pacific islands including Hawaii
Abalone shell, bone
Reference: 4463, 1969.8
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Large needle
Maori
Bone
Reference: 4621
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Large tortoiseshell comb
Described as a ‘curious old hair comb’ used by pilgrims to Canterbury when acquired by the donor in 1870.
Presented by Mr G. Goulden
Reference: 6460
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Leather pilgrim’s bottle
16th – 17th century
Leather
For carrying water and with two holes for suspension.
Reference: 2986
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Letter opener
Tortoiseshell
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.339
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Model of a rickshaw
Tortoiseshell
Presented by Mr Wolseley, 1939
Reference: CANCM:nn
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Necklace
1890s-1910s
Horn
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.357
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Notebook with mother-of-pearl cover
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.119
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Oval medallion with portrait of Queen Anne
Tortoiseshell
Carved by J Obrisset
Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Copeland
Reference: 1800
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Penknife with bone handle
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.350
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Penknife with mother-of-pearl handle
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.148
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Piece of tortoiseshell
Tortoiseshell
This piece of tortoiseshell belonged to the donor’s brother, who was an optician with Clement Clarks in Canterbury from the 1920s to 1940s. It was used in a window display advertising tortoiseshell frames for spectacles.
Presented by Miss S I Robinson, 1984
Reference: 1984.1
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Piquet markers with bird and insect decoration
Wood and ivory
Bequeathed by Miss Frances Aitken, 1992
Reference: 1992.1.45
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Powder, tobacco or snuff holder
Horn, leather and cloth
Reference: 4826
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Red lacquered and gilded box with mother-of-pearl counters Lacquered wood, mother-of-pearl
Probably presented by Mr Alexander Wetherelt, by 1884
Reference: 2000.255.34.1-55
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Shell of a pearl oyster (Avicula)
Reference: 2011.11
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Shield made of rhino hide
18th century; probably Rajasthan, South India
Rhino hide, metal and wood
Rhino hide was popular for dhal shields in South India because it is translucent: light shines through it. Rajasthan was the centre for manufacture and decoration of the traditional Indian round dhal fighting shields, with shallow domed shape and four metal bosses (round knobs) on the front corresponding to handle fixings inside.
Presented by Stephen Lushington to Canterbury Philosophical and Literary Institution Museum, 1825-68, and acquired through purchase of the Museum by Canterbury Corporation, 1846-47
Reference: CANCM:nn
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Shoes
1920s
Leather
Presented by Mrs Lloyd Roberts, 1976
Reference: CANCM:nn
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Spinning Jenny
Bone
Made from mutton bones by a French prisoner in the Napoleonic wars.
Reference: 8245
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Staghorn coral necklace
Red was considered a lucky colour for centuries and Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum) was used to make bracelets, necklaces and other jewellery, as well as decorating babies’ rattles. Staghorn coral is the name given to long spiky growths. Mediterranean red coral is now becoming increasingly rare due to over-exploitation.
Reference: CANCM:nn
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Stamped dice from a backgammon board
Ivory
Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Copeland
Reference: 1989, 1990, 1991
Can be found: Materials and Masters
Tatting spool
Tortoiseshell
Presented by Miss R H Beck Peacock
Reference: 8759
Can be found: Materials and Masters