A History of the World Project & Display

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About the project

The BBC and the British Museum have joined forces with museums in the Bristol region in a partnership that uses the unique power of objects to tell stories.

The British Museum and all major regional museums have selected objects to tell a global history. Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery were asked to choose 10 key objects from museums in the Bristol area to be part of this history of the world through objects.

The ten we have chosen tell the story of a city that has shaped world trade, been a focus for new ideas, creativity and radical thought. We thought long and hard about our selection, but we don’t claim to have the definitive list and we look forward to seeing what other people from Bristol list as their top ten.

A landmark series on BBC Radio 4, A History Of The World In 100 Objects will broadcast from 18 January 2010. The associated website will list all the objects chosen by museums across the country.

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Bristol's 10 Objects

The ten we have chosen tell the story of a city that has shaped world trade, been a focus for new ideas, creativity and radical thought. We thought long and hard about our selection but we don’t claim to have the definitive list and we look forward to seeing what other people from Bristol list as their top ten.

The ten objects and where they are located are as follows:

1.Peter Street hunting jug - Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery
2. Bristol reform iron bar - Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery
3. Alfred the Gorilla - Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery
4. Clara Butt Brooch - Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery
5. Bristol Box Kite - Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery
6. Drawing of the slave ship Brooks - Bristol Record Office
7. Charles Wesley's hymns - John Wesley Chapel at the New Room
8. Alfred Leete's painting 'Sanctuary' - North Somerset Museum
9. Brunel's despatch case - ss Great Britain
10. Banksy's paint Pot Angel - Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery

To find out more about these objects and A History of the World, click here.

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What objects would you put forward?

If you could choose 10 objects that show how Bristol has been at the centre of world history, what would they be?

You can get involved and sughgest further objects by uploading photographs of those you think have a local or global appeal. At the end of February, it is hoped that each BBC Local website will have an additional "People's 10 Objects" telling the history of their region and its global connections.

Upload your suggestions at www.bbc.co.uk/bristol , or click here.

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