Dodos and Dark Lanterns

Dodos & Dark Lanterns tells the fascinating story of Oxford’s Ashmolean, the first public museum in the world. Through a series of interesting anecdotes, based on objects from the Ashmolean’s collections, the book traces the eventful history of this remarkable institution, which evolved from a cabinet of curiosities, representing the world in microcosm, into a museum of art and archaeology, illustrating connections between cultures over time. In the process, it introduces a host of colorful characters, such as a local confectioner named James Sadler who became the first English aeronaut and a young schoolboy known as Ned who grew up to be the legendary Lawrence of Arabia. Contents: Map of Oxford; Introduction; Tradescant’s Orchard; Powhatan’s Mantle; Præmia Honoraria; Statutes Order & Rules; Bottle of Nitre; Clypeus ploti; Oxford Dodo; Mourning Dress; Megalosaurus bucklandi; Draft Labels; Jewelled Disc Brooch; Guy Fawkes’ Lantern; Statue of Athena; Study of Heads and Hands; Chester Seal; Hill House Album; Medieval Mug; Head of Louisa; Jane Russell; Ritual Food Vessel; Statue of the Buddha.