A curious display
AN unusual exhibition is getting museum visitors talking about some weird and wonderful everyday items from the past. The giant Cabinet of Curiosities has opened at Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery and contains objects from surgical instruments to Victor
AN unusual exhibition is getting museum visitors talking about some weird and wonderful everyday items from the past.
The giant Cabinet of Curiosities has opened at Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery and contains objects from surgical instruments to Victorian fashion accessories, and includes some that have never been on public display before.
Cabinets of Curiosities, also known as Cabinets of Wonders, started in Europe during the 16th century.
They were the precursors to modern day museums, with many of them originating from collections of natural specimens from adventures to new parts of the world.
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Visitors will be able to handle objects from the museum's collection, and discover some of the treasures usually tucked away in the stores.
There are also activity sheets for children, designed to help them explore the varied collections.
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Assistant curator at the museum, Susan Collier, said: "Visitors will be fascinated by the objects on display. We encourage people to explore some of the objects that would have been used in everyday life in the past, and access them outside of a traditional museum display."
The exhibition is on display until February 17 and admission is free.
