featured object

Featured Object: Elizabeth Hunter’s Portrait

7 April 202514 May 2019

This painting of Elizabeth Hunter, produced by Henry Pickering (around 1720 – 1770 or 1771), shows an elegant woman sitting … Read More

7 March 202519 March 2019

It is amazing that one of the quintessential features of 18th century dress has come down to us from Doctor … Read More

10 March 202512 February 2019

Our Featured Object for February is this shagreen squill bottle, which belonged to Samuel Johnson himself. It is covered in … Read More

10 March 202510 February 2019

In 1777 the Royal Academy annual exhibition included the only sculpture of Samuel Johnson to be taken from life. The … Read More

10 March 20259 February 2019

Megan Farrell, now studying for her postgraduate degree at Birmingham University, conducted a placement with us in 2017. In this … Read More

10 March 20258 February 2019

David Garbutt, an undergraduate student at Birmingham University, conducted his placement with us in 2018. Here he shares his research … Read More

10 March 20257 February 2019

This is Doctor Johnson’s Teapot, which he used himself every day. He really loved tea. It is a piece of … Read More

10 March 20256 February 2019

This is Samuel Johnson’s walking stick, presented to the Museum by A.C. Lomax in 1909. It is a fine sturdy … Read More

7 March 20255 February 2019

Emma Bown, a student at the University of Birmingham, recently completed a placement at the Birthplace Museum. Here she shares … Read More