Enlightenment (Room 1)
Discovering the world in the 18th century
Room 1 will be partially closed on 19 February
2010
eyeOpener gallery tour / Free / Daily,
12.30–13.10
The Enlightenment was an age of reason and learning that
flourished across Europe and America from about 1680 to 1820. This
rich and diverse permanent exhibition uses thousands of objects to
demonstrate how people in Britain understood their world during
this period. It is housed in the King’s Library, the former home of
the library of King George III.
-
1
or
Extra-large image
The Piranesi Vase, 18th century
More information about this object
The Piranesi Vase, 18th century
-
2
or
Extra-large image
Bronze container for cosmetic items, Charles Townley's cista mystica 3rd century BC
More information about this object
More information about religion and ritual
Bronze container for cosmetic items; Charles Townley's cista mystica 3rd century BC
-
3
or
Extra-large image
Replica of a Maori hand club AD 1772
More information about this object
More information about trade and discovery
Replica of a Maori hand club AD 1772
-
4
or
Extra-large image
Pointed flint handaxe, Gray's Inn Hand Axe, about 350,000 years old
More information about this object
More information about the birth of archaeology
Pointed flint handaxe, Gray's Inn Hand Axe, about 350,000 years old
-
5
or
Extra-large image
Bronze figure of Jupiter 2nd century AD
More information about this object
More information about art and civilisation
Bronze figure of Jupiter 2nd century AD
-
6
or
Extra-large image
Medals of the kings and queens of England by Jean Dassier AD 1731
More information about this object
More information about classifying the world
Medals of the kings and queens of England by Jean Dassier AD 1731
-
7
or
Extra-large image
The Fenton Vase AD 600-800
More information about this object
More information about ancient scripts
The Fenton Vase AD 600-800
-
8
or
Extra-large image
Hans Sloane, Natural History of Jamaica, a book AD 1707 and 1725
More information about this object
More information about the natural world
Hans Sloane, Natural History of Jamaica, a book AD 1707 and 1725
Objects on display reveal the way in which collectors,
antiquaries and travellers during this great age of discovery
viewed and classified objects from the world around them.
The displays provide an introduction to the Museum and its
collections, showing how our understanding of the world of nature
and human achievement has changed over time.
The Enlightenment Gallery is divided into seven sections that
explore the seven major new disciplines of the age: Religion and
ritual, Trade and discovery, the birth of archaeology, Art
history, Classification, the decipherment of ancient
scripts and Natural history. It was opened in 2003 to
celebrate the 250th anniversary of the British Museum.
Themes in the Enlightenment Gallery
The gallery is divided into seven sections that explore the
seven major new disciplines of the age: