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Silhouette Portraits
These two silhouette portraits come from the Bagot collection in our archives, and are part of a series of twelve such portraits. This type of image was very popular in the later 18th and early 19th centuries, being an effective way of creating a small, portable portrait without the expense and production time of a professional miniaturist painter.
Skilled silhouette artists, working from booths at fairs or markets (and, for the best known artists, professional studios), would cut out the likeness of the sitter freehand and work purely by eye. This would usually take just a few minutes and the cut out shape – usually in lightweight black cardboard – would then be mounted on a light background for maximum contrast. These would often be framed. The smallest examples would fit into a locket, whilst busts like the two pictured might measure typically between 3 and 5 inches high. Read more of this article on our Learning Room blog.
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Conserving the past
Conservation volunteer Janet Wheeler has been working alongside the Archives and Heritage Service Conservator, Lisa Williams, on a project to conserve a plan of the Clough Hall Estate.
Janet has written up the work she has undertaken as an article for the Learning Room blog showing the different stages taken to stabilise this fascinating document. Read more.
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A Case for the Ordinary
The taster exhibition exploring life in Staffordshire's asylums is now on display at Leek Library. The imposing St Edwards asylum was located in Cheddleton and opened in 1899. This image was taken in the early 1990s. The library is open 7 days a week. Full details of the opening hours can be found on the Libraries and Arts website. Read more about the project on the blog.
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Tamworth Swifts Medal
This ornate medal was presented to Walter Southwick on 27 March 1893. Walter was a member of the Tamworth Swifts football team who won the Tamworth Challenge Cup that year. Following Walter’s death in 1896 and his brother Henry’s death in 1902, Henry's wife moved to Saskatchewan, Canada in 1907 with her two daughters. The medal went with them. It now lives with Walter’s great niece in British Columbia. Find out more stories on the Meaningful Mementoes website.
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Notice of temporary closures: Staffordshire Record Office & William Salt Library
From March 2022 Staffordshire Record Office will temporarily close its onsite public service. This is to enable preparatory surveys to take place prior to construction of the Staffordshire History Centre. The final date of closure will be advertised once permission to start the project has been confirmed.
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The Trustees of the William Salt Library have agreed to close access temporarily to the Library’s collection from 1 December 2021. This is to enable preparatory work for the move of the collection from the Library building in early 2022. Full details are available on our website. |
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The Learning Room
Take a look at our blog and discover the latest articles about Staffordshire's history.
Recent new articles include the story behind some of the hats in museum collection and a journey through the exciting world of paleography! New articles are being added regularly so why not take a moment to explore The Learning Room
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