Favourites on Friday - The British Museum

I know, I know, it’s Saturday today, not Friday, but I did go to the British Museum yesterday, so it still ticks the box for ‘Favourites on Friday’ ;)

Been wanting to go to the Museum for ages; was originally going to go with Jennifer who is, unfortunately, not feeling well at all – get well soon, my lovely. Thought I would be going on my own, but it turned out Hatty was feeling recovered enough from her operation, so she came with me :) We had a fantabulous time – had lunch first at a very affordable little Italian restaurant down one of the side streets close to the Museum, then took our time meandering around the place.

There was an exhibition on Ganesha – only a small one, but nicely done. There was even an altar made up; what I especially enjoyed was seeing Indian people coming in, so excited and full of smiles.

We went around a bit of Egypt, then to Assyria – we both adore the winged angels, they’re so robust, and full of character.

Assyrian winged angel, view from the back

(Apologies, didn’t make a note of who this is)

I’d taken pictures of the giant wooden gates before -- the Balawat Gates, thanks Hatty -- but this is the first time I noticed that the metal bands depicted scenes.

As I’d already taken loads of pictures during previous visits that are usually associated with the Museum, this time I just took pictures of whatever caught my attention.

We spent time in the Enlightenment Room, which has all sorts of items … they didn’t seem to be laid out in any particular order, with things from Egypt next to the Americas, next to Australasia, then Asia … Though, more than anything, I really wanted to take the books out and touch them, smell them, have a close look at them, but they’re locked away.

Beautiful Minerva with snake-Medusa detail on her robes

Love the amount of detail on this plinth

Managed to ‘find’ Dr. John Dee’s magical items – previous visits with the boys, and I’d failed miserably, much to Jennifer’s bemusement ;) The large wax disc is called the ‘Seal of God’, and is engraved with magical names and symbols.

Seal of God, one of Dr. John Dee’s items

Because the items are in a glass case, with the reflection, I couldn’t get a good enough picture of the black obsidian mirror; this is the fitted case for it, and the handwriting is that of Horace Walpole, the 18th century author and collector who once owned it.

Case with the handwriting of Horace Walpole

After stopping for coffee and a sit down, we then found our way to India, stopping to check out these beautiful Bodhisattvas …

The detail on these sculptures of Hindu deities are amazing…

'Harihara', a combination of Shiva and Vishnu; he is holding Shiva's trident and rosary on the left, and Visnhu's conch shell and discus on the right.

We were captivated by the beautiful depiction of his face

Looking at the ceiling for long enough has an almost hypnotising effect

This is the first time I noticed that you can see the birds walking on the outside of the ceiling... love the little feet.

As I've been wanting to do so for long enough, yesterday I treated myself to the Museum's membership; it may not be L'Oreal but decided that I am worth it :)

The best thing about yesterday was not having to rush because, on Fridays, the British Museum is open till 20:30! Planning on going with the boys next month – there’s a Viking exhibition they’re interested in – and I think it only makes sense to go on a Friday.

TravelJoy12 April 2014Museum, Friday, British Museum, Ganesha, Minerva, Hermes, John Dee, Joy V Spicer6 Comments