Collection Articles

Castle Street ceramics help shed light on Commercial Wharf finds | The Box Plymouth
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’.

Archives insight: Devonport 200 | The Box Plymouth
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?

World Digital Preservation Day 2023 – reflecting on practice
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.

Meet..... Lady Jane Grey | The Box Plymouth
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’.

Meet..... Solomon Hart | The Box Plymouth
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.

Pink Coffee Pot by Meissen Porcelain | The Box Plymouth
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.

The Box awarded unique grant to acquire work by Turner Prize-nominated artist  Ingrid Pollard MBE | The Box Plymouth
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.

Huge rarely-seen painting to be unrolled at The Box as part of a special ‘conservation in action’ event | The Box Plymouth
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.

Wally Birds by Martin Brothers | The Box Plymouth
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!

'Jib' and 'Barquentine' by Margaret Lovell | The Box Plymouth
Art - Aug 2023

'Jib' and 'Barquentine' by Margaret Lovell

Lovell's works vary in size from miniature to monumental. The two pieces we are highlighting here are inspired by sailing and are bronzes - a material she is renowned for using. They were acquired following a career-defining retrospective exhibition of Lovell's work at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery in 1972.

'Dig for Victory' dress | The Box Plymouth
Press Release - May 2023

'Dig for Victory' dress

The dress was gifted to our collections in 1996 and dates from 1939-1945. It’s an example of mid-20th century fashion as well as a piece of propaganda, and you can see it in a huge case featuring hundreds of objects from our decorative art collection in our ‘People and Place’ exhibition.

‘Card Table’ by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham | The Box Plymouth
Art - May 2023

‘Card Table’ by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912-2004) was one of the most significant British female artists of the twentieth century. She was born in St Andrews, Scotland but after relocating to St Ives she became one of the central figures there. This work is an oil on hardboard dating from the late 1960s and was gifted to our collections in 1976 by the Contemporary Art Society.