Collection Articles
News - Aug 2024
Take a look around
Are you a regular visitor to The Box? Are you planning to visit for the first time? There are lots of interesting things dotted around our building that complement our changing exhibitions and permanent galleries. Here are a few things to look out for. If you follow them in this order it makes a nice trail!
News - Aug 2024
Global Plymouth - a new journey
If you head into our '100 Journeys' gallery you'll notice a brand new case display. It introduces our 'Global Plymouth' project which is enabling us to work with audiences, artists and communities to make changes to the space over the next year or two.
Collections - Jul 2024
Did local tin kickstart the European Bronze Age?
Devon and Cornwall are sometimes portrayed as a bit of a back water. In prehistory, when great changes occur, Britain is usually seen as being on the periphery. Things arrive from elsewhere and we’re on the outer ripples of innovation. But could there be more to the far South West than meets the eye?
Collections - Feb 2024
Castle Street ceramics help shed light on Commercial Wharf finds
At the beginning of 2022 Plymouth Archaeology Society noticed that 17th century ceramics were being uncovered during repairs to a harbour wall at Commercial Wharf. Their investigation revealed evidence about the sequence of building at the site and was featured in an episode of the BBC's ‘Digging for Britain’.
History - Jan 2024
Archives insight: Devonport 200
Did you know 1 January 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the town of Dock (or Plymouth-Dock) becoming known as Devonport?
Moving Image - Nov 2023
World Digital Preservation Day 2023 – reflecting on practice
The climate emergency has prompted archives and museums to reflect on our carbon footprints and rethink the way we work. Reducing the environmental impact within our collections care work has mainly been addressed through building design and revisions to how we maintain the physical collections entrusted to us. Research is now focussing on the impact of digital archiving which has become part of the standard remit of most services today.
Art - Oct 2023
Meet..... Lady Jane Grey
The woman at the centre of the giant history painting that is undergoing a conservation assessment at The Box until 4 October had a fascinating but tragic life. Find out more about Lady Jane Grey – otherwise known as the ‘Nine Days’ Queen’.
Art - Sep 2023
Meet..... Solomon Hart
Solomon Hart was one of the most respected British artists of the 1800s, but how much do you know about this Plymouth-born artist who went on to become the first Jewish Royal Academician? Here's your chance to learn a little more about his life.
Art - Sep 2023
Pink Coffee Pot
This distinctive, brightly coloured coffee pot is part of a set that also includes a tea pot, sugar bowl, jug and cups. It is currently on display in the large case in our 'People and Place: Art Collection showcase' gallery.
Press Release - Sep 2023
The Box awarded unique grant to acquire work by Turner Prize-nominated artist Ingrid Pollard MBE
The Box, Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive, is one of two organisations in the UK to be awarded funding through the latest round of the Freelands Art Fund Acquisition – a unique partnership between Art Fund and Freelands Foundation. Launched in 2021, the partnership helps museums acquire work by contemporary women artists that have won the Freelands Award.
Press Release - Aug 2023
Huge rarely-seen painting to be unrolled at The Box as part of a special ‘conservation in action’ event
A giant painting which hasn’t been seen in public for decades will be rolled out at The Box on Wednesday 27 September, as part of a live ‘conservation in action’ event.
Art - Aug 2023
Wally Birds by the Martin Brothers
There are some weird and wonderful creatures perching within our giant display case but they are not from within our Natural History collection!