Blog
The Story of a Clockmaker
Sometimes it is extraordinary how small serendipitous consequences can have great results. Such was the outcome from a recent visitor to the Museum who came from Bedale, a tiny village in the Yorkshire Dales. They reported back to their local newspaper that they had...
Symbols in Art – Clues and Problems
When we explore medieval religious art you could be astonished by the number of objects being held by the figures depicted either in paint or in stained glass windows. Looking at some of the stained glass windows in the Abbey Church there are a number of saints that...
Curator Interview with Michael Strong
This interview was intended to capture a relatable snapshot of Michael Strong’s life, so that every-day South East Queenslanders (or anyone for that matter!) could find out a little about his humble beginnings, his long connection to the Abbey Museum of Art and...
Musketeer Makeover
After completing the fundraising for the conservation of the medieval and Victorian Stained glass in the Abbey Church and a window of one of the Three Magi above the door to the Abbey Museum, focus has turned to fundraising for the conservation of smaller,...
New Addition to the Abbey Museum’s Collection
An Unusual Object in our Collection – The Roman Balance One of the latest additions to our ever-growing collection is an unusual-looking metal device that one has to wonder about. Mind boggling – yes, but in fact this implement has a very practical application. Then,...
The Abbey Museum’s Black Rider
In mid-2016, the Abbey Museum finally fulfilled a long-held dream to acquire a complete medieval suit of armour to complement the existing stories of the Abbey collection of medieval artefacts. With the support of the Abbey Museum Friends and a private donor a...
Favourite Things of the Abbey Museum
Most of us know that the Abbey Museum has some special items in their collection – but what do you really know about it and do you have a favourite thing? Have you ever walked through the museum and a special object has caught your eye? What was it? Where...
Abbey Museum is a GAMAA Award Winner
The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology was last night announced as a winner and a finalist at the GAMAA awards. The awards – Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards – are presented annually to honour the achievements of individuals and organisations in striving...
Medieval Artefacts Donated to the Abbey Museum
There was great excitement in the Abbey Museum office last week; in fact, it felt a little like Christmas, as the Director unwrapped a group of medieval artefacts that had been donated to the Museum. We always endeavour to grow the medieval collections because of the...
Teaching the Value of Archaeology
To many people archaeology embodies adventure, excitement, very old things and, of course, thanks to the Indiana Jones franchise, unfortunately Nazis. The image of Indiana Jones, Hollywood’s archetypal archaeologist, has been burned into the minds of the “baby boomer”...
Medieval Pilgrim Badge Donation Excitement
Donated Pilgrim Badge of St Thomas Becket The Abbey Museum recently received a generous donation of a 14th century Pilgrim Badge of St Thomas Becket. A pilgrim badge, like the suit of armour also acquired this year, has been on the Museum’s wish list for a number of...
Collection Donations: Gifts of Ancient Treasures
With the advent of on-line sale websites such as Ebay and Gum Tree, and difficult financial times in general, collection donations of antiquities to the Abbey Museum had all but dried up. However, excitingly, 2016 seemed to buck the trend and over the last few months...
Abbey Museum Celebrates 30 Years
Thirty years ago on a warm Saturday afternoon in late June a group of friends, members of the Abbey Community, builders and museum staff gathered with over 100 invited guests to hear the Abbey Museum declared officially open. It was a moving moment: the...
The “Donor King” has a Name
Visitors to the Abbey Museum may have noticed a stained glass window that was once above the main door has been removed. I can assure you that this is not permanent but just part of the ongoing conservation program of our stained glass windows. This panel...
Hidden Treasure Trove
In the back of a dark cupboard in the Abbey Museum storage area sit a few items of hidden treasure with signs saying DO NOT LIST. These items have been there for a very long time. Why you may ask? Well it is because their provenance is unknown or attempts in the...
Dutch Delft – Almost as Famous as Clogs!
Situated in the Museum’s ‘Apothecary Shoppe’ display, can be found several items of iconic blue and white Dutch Delft pottery. Careful research has uncovered some interesting history to share from the examples that we have in our collection. Delft on display Research...
Before Tupperware there was Lacquerware
One of the wonderful things about working with the Abbey Museum’s collection is exploring the mysteries of the diverse range of artefacts. My latest research involved the small but fine collection of lacquerware acquired by John Ward when he was living in...
The Face of Death – the execution of a King
Until recently, death by execution seemed to be a horror from the past. I had never stopped to consider what someone might be thinking or feeling knowing that their life was about to end with a swing of an axe or a sword. But the graphic images of execution from Iraq...