Description
Northampton Museum reflects the town's proud standing as both Britain's boot & shoe capital and the focus for history of the town through the ages.
Step back into a world of shoes with two new galleries funded with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Northampton Borough Council.
'Life & Sole' shoes the history of shoemaking using audio-visual diaplays, interactive exhibits and a re-creation of an old shoe factory.
'Followers of Fashion' Continues the story of footwear and celebrates shoe fashions through the centuries
The story of Northampton's history from the Stone Age to the 20th century is told with objects, sound and film.
Both decorative arts and fine arts are represented in outstanding collections, particularly the Oriental ceramics and the 15th to 18th century Italian paintings.
Regular events include temporary exhibitions,lunchtime talks, mornings for the over 60's and sessions for toddlers in term time and school holiday workshops.
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Key artists and exhibits
1.Fine bronze SCABBARD of the 1st century BC, once the prized possession of a Celtic noble. Found at the Iron Age hill fort, Hunsbury.
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2. Unique Jewish tombstone, 13th century, from the former Jewish cemetary, off Barrack Road, Northampton
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3. THE BLAKE SEWER An important shoe machine to stich the soles of shoes. It signifys the machanisation of shoe manufacture.
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4. CHAIRS BY CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH c. 1916 designed for WJ Basset-Lowke's house at 78 Derngate, Northampton.
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5. Bronze model of Henry Moore's MADONNA AND CHILD commissioned in 1943 for St Matthew's Church, Northampton.
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6. Painted and gilded Italian CASSONE or marriage chest, Siennes school about 1470.
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7. STATUE of Sekemka, Inspetor of Scribes, Egyptian, 5th Dynasty (about 2400BC) brough to England by the 2nd Marquis of Northampton
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8. Unusual double-sided portrait, about 1580, of Sir Christopher Hatton of Holdenby, Northamptonshire. On loan to the National Maritime Museum for the Elizabth I exhibition May 2003.
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9. CHINESE PORCELAIN JAR. Chia-ching 1522-1566. Decorated with swimming carp
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10. ELEPHANT BOOT made in 1959 by Lotus Ltd, Northampton, for the British Alpine Hannibal Expedition.
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11. Super elevated ghillie by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, famously tripping Naomi Campbell up on the catwalk.
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