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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Last chance alert 🚨 Colour Shape Pattern closes 22 Feb! Come brighten your day with works from Hockney, Magritte and more: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

If Colour Shape Pattern is still on your list, now’s the time. Only a few weeks left to enjoy this burst of colour before it’s gone: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Just 3 weeks left to see Colour Shape Pattern at Christchurch Mansion! Bold colour, striking patterns and big-name artists. Don’t miss your chance: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Big names, bright colours and patterns you’ll want on your walls. Colour Shape Pattern is open now: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

From delicate design to big, bold splashes, Colour Shape Pattern celebrates it all. Come and explore: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Looking for a pick-me-up? Step into Colour Shape Pattern and let the creativity do its thing: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Give your eyes a treat! Colour Shape Pattern is packed with bold shapes, vivid colours and playful patterns: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Magritte, Hockney, Delaunay… and a brand new piece by Lily Hammond. They’re all in Colour Shape Pattern. Don’t miss it: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Fancy a splash of colour? Step into Colour Shape Pattern and enjoy bold, bright, feel-good art. On now at Christchurch Mansion: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Reposted by Ipswich Museums

Suffolk Sight @suffolksight.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

We're taking part in the @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social Christmas Tree Festival at Christchurch Mansion. Our beautifully decorated tree can be seen until 5th January. We have included some purple braille baubles, and also some doves made out of braille paper in our display.

Photos show our Christmas tree which has a silver and purple theme. The tree is situated in one of the elegant rooms within the mansion. In the back ground you can see three life-sized mannequins as part of the historical exhibit.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Bright colours. Big names. Brilliant vibes. Colour Shape Pattern is open at Christchurch Mansion, come see Hockney, Magritte, and more: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/colour-shape-pattern

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Fierce, fearless and full of colour, Grace Hartigan (1922–2008) brought raw emotion and electric energy to every canvas she touched. A leading figure of American Abstract Expressionism, Hartigan was one of the few women at the heart of New York’s post-war art scene.

Black and white photograph of a woman in a patterned jumper working in an artist’s studio. She is seen squeezing paint from a tube onto a palette or work surface, with a concentrated expression. The foreground shows a table scattered with numerous paint tubes and brushes, some stored upright in a metal container. Behind her, an abstract painting or mural is partially visible on the wall, contributing to the creative atmosphere of the space. The overall scene captures a moment of focused artistic preparation.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

This 18th-century youth is meant to be a graceful little figure holding flowers, but his expression suggests he’s just been told something mildly shocking. The sash and floral base make him look elegant, yet that wide-eyed stare makes it hard not to laugh.

Porcelain figurine of a standing cherubic figure on a circular base decorated with small flowers. The figure is nude except for a flowing turquoise drape that wraps diagonally across the body and hangs over the left arm. Both hands are raised, each holding a delicate flower, and additional blossoms are positioned near the feet. The surface is glossy with soft pastel colours, typical of 18th-century or Rococo-style decorative ceramics. A label beneath the figure reads IPSMG: R.1959-190, indicating a museum catalogue reference.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

This portrait shows Charles Vesey of Hintlesham Hall, the eldest of 6 sons. The Vesey family had lived at Hintlesham since the reign of Henry VIII, and Charles inherited the estate. The portrait shows him with long, slightly curly hair and lace at the collar - fashionable details of the late 1600s.

Oval-framed oil portrait depicting a figure with voluminous, reddish-brown curls cascading over the shoulders. The subject wears a richly textured black garment, possibly a cloak or robe, paired with an ornate lace collar featuring intricate scrolling patterns. The background is dark and plain, drawing attention to the detailed rendering of the hair and fabric. The overall composition suggests a formal 17th-century style, emphasising elegance and status through luxurious materials and meticulous detailing.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

And here’s how our #ThrowbackThursday photo, Tavern Street, looks today! While the shops may have changed, some of the architectural bones are still there.

Street-level view of a row of commercial buildings in a town centre. The architecture combines older brick façades with modern shopfronts. The central building has a red-brick exterior with white decorative stonework around the windows and cornice, housing businesses with dark blue signage, including The Carphone Warehouse and another store. To the left is a Boots pharmacy with a bright blue sign and a promotional poster in the window. On the right, a banner reading Tower Ramparts hangs from a neighbouring building, and a large clock is mounted on a metal frame above the pavement. A tall streetlamp stands in front of the shops, and the pavement is wide, suggesting a pedestrian-friendly shopping area.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Step into 1930s Ipswich for today’s #ThrowbackThursday. This scene features some iconic names, and of course, that striking clock. Overhead wires hint at the trolleybuses, and the Picture House sign draws the eye. Share your best guesses and we’ll reveal the modern view this afternoon!

Historic black-and-white photograph of a bustling street lined with multi-storey buildings featuring ornate façades and shopfronts. A prominent clock with the name H. Samuel hangs above a jeweller’s entrance, flanked by decorative ironwork. Below, an awning displays the words “STOCKTAKING SALE” in bold lettering. Other visible signs include “HAIR CUTTING” and “THE PICTURE HOUSE,” indicating a cinema further along the street. Additional signage for EAD SIMPSON and VALET can be seen on the right. Overhead, tram wires crisscross the scene, suggesting an early 20th-century urban setting. Several pedestrians in long coats and hats walk along the pavement, adding to the lively atmosphere.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

This small bronze dog was found at Charsfield, near Wickham Market. It dates to the Roman period and wears a collar, showing it was likely a domestic pet. Dogs played many roles in Roman life. They were hunters, guards, and companions, but they also symbolised loyalty and protection.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Ben Nicholson (1894–1982) spent his life distilling the world into lines, textures and shapes. A leading figure in British modernism, Nicholson's art moved from still-lifes and landscapes to stark white reliefs and abstract compositions – but always with a sense of balance, rhythm and restraint.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

This gold and garnet mount shows the upper body of a bird of prey, its beak curving, neck narrowed, and eye once set with a red stone. Thin gold walls created tiny cells for garnet inlays, framed by beaded wire. It likely decorated something high status, from dress fittings to a sword hilt.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Pop by Christchurch Mansion on Tue 18 Nov, 3.30–4pm to meet Sir Tony Robinson. He’ll be signing his new novel, House of Wolf, and copies will be on sale at the event. Come early if you can, say hello, and get your book signed. See you there!

Book cover for “The House of Wolf” by Tony Robinson, featuring a striking design in deep blue and gold tones. The title is displayed in large serif lettering, with the word “Wolf” partially overlaying an illustrated heraldic wolf motif in the background. Above the title, a quote from Dan Jones reads: “A page-turner full of historical intelligence, wit and heart.” Below, the tagline states: “Wessex, 857 AD. On the path to power, nobody can be trusted.” Decorative seals and symbols appear faintly across the cover, adding a sense of medieval intrigue and authenticity.

The image shows a person seated against an ornate, weathered wooden backdrop featuring decorative carved panels with faded paint and intricate detailing. The individual is wearing a dark navy button-up shirt with a subtle dotted pattern and has both hands resting together in the foreground, fingers interlaced. The overall composition suggests a formal portrait setting with muted tones and soft lighting that highlights the textures of the background and clothing.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Free drop‑in to handle Anglo‑Saxon replicas, chat to specialists and explore objects at Christchurch Mansion on Tue 18 Nov! Sir Tony Robinson will stop by for photos near closing: ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/events/meet-...

The image shows a collection of ornate early medieval jewellery displayed against a deep red background. At the top is a large, circular disc brooch featuring intricate gold filigree and interlaced patterns, with triangular panels and multiple garnet inlays arranged around a central boss. Below it is a row of six pendants, each with unique designs: some are silver with engraved motifs, others are gold with raised geometric patterns, and several incorporate gemstones such as garnets and amethysts. Small green beads and elongated blue stones are positioned between the pendants, suggesting elements of a necklace or decorative set. The craftsmanship and use of precious materials indicate these were high-status items, likely associated with elite burials or ceremonial attire.

The image shows two intricately crafted early medieval artefacts displayed against a deep red background. On the left is a pyramidal gold mount with panels decorated in fine interlaced knotwork and a small square gemstone set at the top. The sides feature detailed filigree patterns framed by raised borders. On the right is an elongated, faceted piece with a geometric design of gold strips forming a lattice over red garnet inlays, creating a striking contrast. Both objects exhibit exceptional craftsmanship and are likely high-status fittings or jewellery components, reflecting the wealth and artistry of the period.

The image shows a collection of archaeological artefacts displayed against a deep red background. At the centre is a large, circular gold disc decorated with intricate interlaced patterns and a raised central boss, likely a decorative mount or shield fitting. To the left are two elongated fragments with detailed gold filigree designs, possibly parts of a brooch or clasp. Below them is a corroded iron piece with a curved form, suggesting a structural or functional component. On the right, two vivid blue glass fragments with smooth surfaces indicate remnants of a vessel or ornament. At the bottom right is a composite piece featuring gold and garnet inlay, typical of high-status early medieval jewellery. The arrangement highlights craftsmanship and luxury materials associated with elite burials or ceremonial objects.

The image shows a collection of corroded metal artefacts arranged against a deep red background. At the centre is a long, narrow belt fitting or strap end with a heavily textured surface and a circular buckle attached. Above it are three smaller rectangular mounts with jagged edges and pierced holes, likely for fastening. Below the main piece is a row of five round studs or decorative mounts, each featuring a raised spiral or rosette design. The objects exhibit greenish patina and surface pitting, indicating age and oxidation, and suggest components of an early medieval belt set or harness fitting.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Earlier for #ThrowbackThursday we gave you a glimpse of Currier’s Lane, Ipswich captured in 1934 and facing south toward Princes Street. This small lane was caught between decline and renewal.

Historic black-and-white photograph of Currie’s Lane, Ipswich, taken in 1934. The image shows the south end of the street with Prince Street visible in the distance. In the foreground is a row of brick terraced houses with multiple chimneys and sash windows, including a shopfront with a recessed doorway. Behind the houses stands a large industrial-style building with several stories and a flat roof, likely a factory or warehouse. On the right, part of another brick building with a tiled roof and a wooden fence is visible. Two people are present on the street, one near the shop entrance and another walking past the fence. Handwritten text along the bottom reads: “Currie’s Lane Ipswich 1934. South end with Prince St in distance.” The scene reflects an early 20th-century urban setting with mixed residential and industrial architecture.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Let’s rewind to 1934 for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday! This now-vanished section of houses on this street once buzzed with life. Look closely and you’ll spot an active demolition site and a brand-new home tucked in the corner. Here’s a clue: at least one house still stands today.

Historic black-and-white photograph showing a street corner with a row of brick terraced houses in the foreground and a large industrial-style building behind them. The houses have multiple chimneys, sash windows, and a shopfront with a recessed doorway. The taller building in the background features several stories with evenly spaced windows and a flat roof, suggesting a factory or mill. On the right, part of another brick building with a tiled roof is visible, and a wooden fence runs along the pavement. Two people are present on the street, one near the shop entrance and another walking past the fence. The overall scene conveys an early 20th-century urban or industrial setting.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Alexander Calder didn’t just create art; he set it in motion. Best known for inventing the mobile, Calder transformed sculpture from something solid and static into a balancing act of colour, shape and air. The result? Art that moves, literally, with a life of its own.

Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with light-coloured, slightly tousled hair, wearing a striped button-up shirt with the collar open. He has a calm yet serious expression, gazing slightly to the left. The lighting is soft and even, casting minimal shadows against the plain, light-toned background, creating a clean and focused composition.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Before mobiles, making a call meant finding a public telephone. Signs like this enamel one told you exactly where you could do it. It wasn’t just convenient - it was essential. People used them to call a taxi, check in with family, or send a quick message before heading home.

Vintage enamel sign with a deep blue background and bold white lettering stating “YOU MAY TELEPHONE FROM HERE.” The word “TELEPHONE” is prominently displayed in a larger font than the surrounding text. The sign shows signs of age, including scratches, worn edges, and a small mounting hole at the top centre. Its design suggests it was used historically to indicate the availability of telephone services in a public or commercial setting.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Ever noticed how one tiny detail can do all the talking? In the 1650s, a tulip was the ‘it’ accessory. This portrait of Henrietta Jermyn, later married to Henry Gage in 1655, pairs family coats‑of‑arms with pearls and ringlets to signal status.

Full-length portrait of a figure in an opulent deep blue gown with voluminous folds and silvered highlights, featuring puffed sleeves and a low neckline adorned with a jewel clasp. The figure holds a cluster of pink and red flowers in the right hand, positioned against a stone balustrade with two large columns framing a dark, cloudy sky in the background. On the left side of the balustrade, a coat of arms with crescent moons and a saltire is visible, while an inscription appears on the right, partially legible, referencing lineage and heritage. The overall composition conveys elegance and status, typical of 17th-century aristocratic portraiture.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Few artists captured the fragility of the human condition quite like Alberto Giacometti. Known for his impossibly thin, elongated figures, Giacometti’s art emerged from the trauma and uncertainty of the 20th century.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Today’s #ThrowbackThursday is the site of The Bucks Horns pub, once tucked away at the corner of Woodhouse Street and Gibson Street; roads that no longer exist. The pub also popped up in records for East Street and Cross Street in the 19th century, but by 1939, it had vanished from listings.

Black and white photo of a quiet street with brick terraced houses, overhead power lines, and a corner pub named “The Bucks Horns.” Children and adults walk along the pavement, and a girl in the foreground eats a snack, dressed in vintage clothes.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

It’s #ThrowbackThursday and we have a challenge for you! Any guesses where this photo was taken? Back when little ones played in the street and a trip to The Bucks Horns pub was just around the corner. These streets no longer exist, but you might know the area if you've studied nearby recently.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Window committee update: lion practising welcome face, baboon in the chair, ostrich on lookout. Our diorama crowd is very invested in the builders.

A taxidermy group in a savannah diorama all stare towards a plastic‑sheeted window where building work is happening. From front to back: an ostrich neck in the foreground, a seated lion, a baboon on a stump, a vulture with wings spread, a leopard on a branch, and other animals, all looking expectant.

Two taxidermy lion cubs sit on dusty ground beside a glass wall covered in plastic sheeting, peering out as if waiting for the builders to finish.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Big smiles at YMCA on 29 October. Young people on our Amplify programme received their AQA Entry Level certificates in discovering local history and art skills. It was the first celebration with this group and we’re already planning more together.

Indoor event scene showing a display table covered with a purple cloth, featuring museum-related items such as a fossil specimen in a white tray, a black box, printed sheets, and a decorative figure. A person in a checked shirt stands behind the table holding a small artefact, possibly explaining its significance to another individual wearing a brown hoodie and patterned trousers. Behind the table, a green banner with bold text reads “Girls Where You At?”, suggesting a programme or initiative. Red-and-white hazard tape is strung across the wooden backdrop, and chairs are visible in the background.

Display table covered with a bright pink cloth featuring the bold text “FFS FUTURE” in large white, green, and navy letters. Two tall banners stand behind the table:

Left banner: “FFS Future Female Society” in green, pink, and navy. Text explains the organisation’s mission to empower women and build a supportive community.
Right banner: “GWYA Girls Where You At?” in green and navy, describing a programme for 12–19-year-olds to build confidence, grow aspirations, and develop skills in areas such as radio, music, performance, and media.

On the table are multiple leaflets and cards promoting both initiatives, along with a small upright display stand. Red-and-white hazard tape is visible in the background.

Indoor event scene showing an Ipswich Museum display table covered with a purple cloth. On the table are various items including a fossil specimen in a white tray, a black box, printed information sheets, and a yellow object resembling a measuring tool or equipment. Behind the table stands a person in a checked shirt engaging with two individuals who are observing the display closely. One visitor wears a bright red sports shirt with a large number “4” on the back, while the other wears a white shirt with black lettering and light grey trousers. The background includes posters on the wall and a wooden panel area.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Did you guess our #ThrowbackThursday? It’s St Clements Lane where it meets Angel Lane. While the corner shop has vanished, those quirky circular windows are still keeping watch. In the background, you can just spot the tower of St Clement’s Church, a fixture of this part of town for centuries.

Modern view of the same corner in Ipswich. The stone building with round windows remains, now with a phone box in front. The old shop is gone, replaced by trees and pavement, with the church tower still visible.

A 1938 photo of a street corner in Ipswich. A vintage lorry with “SMYTH BROS.” signage dominates the foreground. In the background is a small building with round windows and an older corner shop.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

We're heading back to 1938 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday. Can you guess where in Ipswich this photo was taken? Here's a clue: check out those circular windows on the right. They're still there today, and they look a bit like a surprised face. Answers after lunch!

Black and white photo showing a 1930s street scene. A vintage lorry is parked in the foreground with the signage “SMYTH BROS.” visible. In the background, a corner shop with posters in the window and a distinctive building featuring two round windows.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

These colourful jugs are all made of Mason’s Ironstone china, a type of pottery introduced in the early 19th century to compete with porcelain. On display alongside our Colour Shape Pattern exhibition at Christchurch Mansion, each jug shows off a unique flair for vivid pattern and decorative detail.

Hexagonal jug decorated in bright overglaze colours with floral panels in red, orange, green and blue. Handle with sculpted lion or dragon head detail.

Tall jug with an octagonal body, decorated with hand-painted red and orange flowers, green foliage and blue trellis patterns. Scrolled handle and footed base.

Small squat jug with brightly coloured zigzag stripes in red, green, cobalt blue and orange. Dragon-shaped handle with floral terminal.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Think your morning coffee is a gamble? Try drinking from this. This eye-catching mug is a classic example of a “surprise” or “frog” mug: a cheeky form of 18th-century earthenware with a hidden resident.

Staffordshire mug with raised floral decoration and striped yellow, blue and ochre bands; inscription reads “Winchester. Measure Warranted”.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Autumn’s here and the coats are coming out… even for armadillos. The screaming hairy armadillo is a small South American species with bristly hair peeking between its bony plates. When alarmed, it lets out a loud squeal - a big sound from a pocket‑sized creature.

Side view of a screaming hairy armadillo specimen showing full body shape, layered armour bands, and tufts of hair along the flanks; neutral studio background.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Reveal time for our #ThrowbackThursday mystery corner. This is the junction of St Nicholas Street and Silent Street in Ipswich. The timber‑framed building with the jettied first floor is still there!

A colour street‑level photo of the same corner building at St Nicholas Street, Ipswich. The white timber frame and jettied upper floor remain, including the carved corner post, now beside large modern shop windows. Cars are parked along the cobbled street. A red post box and a green‑doored brick house stand opposite, and trees cast light shade on the corner.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Where is it? Today’s mystery photo shows a timber‑framed corner shop with a carved corner post and a window full of cure‑alls. Street names are blurred for now, but locals might recognise the jettying first floor and those leaded windows. We’ll reveal the spot later today. 😎

Black and white photograph of a timber‑framed corner shop, c. early 20th century. The first floor jetties out above a ground‑floor shopfront stacked with bottles and boxes. A carved corner post supports the overhang. Leaded windows line the upper storey. The street name plates have been deliberately blurred for a “where is it?” mystery. In the window, painted lettering advertises cure‑alls for colds and influenza.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

William De Morgan never met a tile he didn’t want to enchant. These tiles showcase the brilliance of one of the Arts and Crafts Movement’s most restless minds. De Morgan began his career designing stained glass with William Morris, but it was in ceramics that he found full creative freedom.

Embossed tile showing two cream-coloured lions on a background of gold and dark blue quartered squares.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Did you know that pangolins are the only mammals with scales? They're solitary and mostly nocturnal, with some climbing trees whilst others stay on the ground. They dig into ant and termite mounds and use their tongue (that can reach up to 28 inches!) to feed.

Close-up of a taxidermy pangolin on a wooden base against a white background. The head and forelimbs fill the frame, showing overlapping brown keratin scales with fine ridges, a small dark eye, and long curved claws on the front feet. The shadow falls behind the mount, emphasising the texture of the scales and claws.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

A doll with no face, on purpose. This Ukrainian motanka was handmade in Ipswich with cotton, beads and dry wheat. Motanky were made as protective talismans or toys and kept faceless so a single soul couldn’t be attached. Objects of care can be small and powerful. Do you have a good‑luck charm?

A handmade Ukrainian motanka doll photographed against a pale background. The doll is faceless, with embroidered red and black bands crossing the face. It wears a feathered red headdress, layered red bead necklaces and hoop earrings. The blouse has cream sleeves with red and black embroidery. A red overskirt ties with ribbon over a cream underskirt that shows a bold red, black and cream geometric panel at the front. Materials include cotton fabric and thread, beads, plastic flowers and a dry‑wheat filler. The figure stands upright on a flat surface.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

These blue and white delft tiles are more than decoration: they’re snapshots of 17th- and 18th-century taste, trade, and storytelling. Imported from the Netherlands, delftware tiles were popular for their gleaming tin-glazed surfaces and crisp cobalt designs.

Delft tile with a landscape scene of three figures crossing a bridge under a tree, buildings and a boat in the background. All are hand-painted in blue on a white background.

Delft tile showing a fisherman on a riverbank, with sailing boat, ducks and a distant town.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Before mobiles, the household Trimphone ruled the hallway. Lighter, a long cord you could sneak round a door, and that famous electronic “warble”. Ours keeps the rotary dial and a mid‑cable connector stamped “British Telecom”, which is a nod to the days of renting your phone.

Ivory-coloured plastic Trimphone with the handset resting on the cradle. Rotary dial with clear finger wheel, translucent number ring and numbers 1–0 visible. Long coiled handset cord tangles across the frame and meets a grey inline plastic connector stamped “British Telecom.” The base has a clear plastic rest and a wall cable extending out of shot. Circa 1980–1999.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Guess the spot: George Frost’s Ipswich Docks, c.1800. Low sheds, masts and figures on the quay before the wet dock opened in 1842. On today’s Waterfront, would you place this near St Peter’s Dock, the Old Custom House or Stoke Bridge? Why?

Graphite drawing of Ipswich Docks around 1800. Small sailing vessels and masts rise behind low waterside sheds. Figures work on the quay. In the foreground a couple walk along the shoreline. The sky is lightly clouded. The paper shows faint marks consistent with a watermark, but the mark is not identified.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Smoke, clay, and steady graft. This 1909 photograph shows the Brickfields in Ipswich, where thousands of handmade and machine-pressed bricks fed a town that was growing street by street.

Black and white photograph of Ipswich brickfields, c.1909. In the foreground are stacked bricks and low drying tables. To the left stand long sheds and a tall chimney rising above the works. The ground is rough with patches of clay and timber props. No people are visible, but the scene suggests active industrial work and large-scale brick production.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

They look like two short logs, but they’re trenails: wooden pegs that fasten heavy timbers without iron. An old label notes they were buried after a destructive event in Oct 1896 and uncovered in 1949 excavations.

Front view of the same pair of trenails on the green wooden stand with a small aged paper label attached to the base, text partially faded and unreadable.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

The final Peep into the Past tours of 2025 are here! If you haven’t joined the Friends of Ipswich Museums yet, now’s your chance to uncover the fascinating layers of Christchurch Mansion before the season ends. Free and open to all — come take a last look before winter draws in.

Promotional poster for Peep into the Past free guided tours, set in an ornate historical study or drawing room. Foreground shows a large globe, a bust, and various decorative objects on a desk. In the background, a mannequin dressed in Georgian-style clothing stands near a fireplace with an elaborate red and gold surround. Framed portraits, statues, and pale blue-grey wall panelling complete the scene. Tours run from April to October, held Saturday–Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm, and Tuesday–Wednesday at 11 am.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

International Translation Day invites us to think about how writing carries voice. This teaching scroll uses the Ge’ez script, the historic script of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Two aged scrolls display neatly arranged rows of text written in Ge'ez, an ancient Ethiopian script. The parchment has a yellowish-brown tone, suggesting significant age and historical value.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Velvet walls? Not quite, but Christchurch Mansion’s Green Room comes close. What you’re looking at is flock wallpaper, the 18th-century equivalent of high-end interior design. Flock wallpaper was made by glueing wool or silk fibres (called 'flock') onto paper to mimic expensive woven fabrics.

Corner of a historic room with ornate decor. A light brown panelled door is framed by a pale green doorframe, set into wallpaper with a dark damask pattern. On the left, an antique wooden cabinet with decorative marquetry stands beneath a framed oval portrait of a woman in 18th-century attire. To the right, a large ceramic bowl with blue floral motifs sits atop a richly decorated table with a green marble top and gilded accents.

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Ipswich Museums @ipswichmuseums.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

On this date in 1066 William of Normandy landed in England. Our object link is a silver penny of William I, minted in Ipswich between 1083 and 1086.

Obverse of a small medieval silver penny of William I showing a crowned bust facing, with pellets and a beaded border. Coin photographed on a white background.

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