Plaster mould for the upper surface of a circular plate, with relief basket weave pattern and a scalloped edge, by Charles Belfield's Pottery, Prestonpans

One part of a three part plaster block mould for a hen in basket figure, each part with its own keeper, by Charles Belfield's Pottery, Prestonpans

One part of a plaster block mould for one side of a toy teapot and its keeper block, by Charles Belfield's Pottery, Prestonpans

One part of a plaster block mould for one side of a toy teapot and its keeper block, by Charles Belfield's Pottery, Prestonpans

Cast of a carved stone ball, with six knobs, found near Methlick, Aberdeenshire

Cast of double-edged perforated stone hammer (Dobbeltaeggede økse), Neolithic, from Denmark

Cast of double-edged perforated stone hammer (Dobbeltaeggede økse), Neolithic, from Denmark

Cast of coarse-toothed spearhead with slightly curved sides (Grovtandet spyd med let buede sider), Neolithic, from Denmark

Cast of die (Terninger), one of a set, with runic inscription, Neolithic, from Denmark

Facsimile of a specimen of crystallized native gold, in three parts, from Mount McIvor, Victoria, found on the 1st of May 1853

Ferguson's Paradox orrery with a stand and a glass shade, by George Jamieson of Hamilton, c. 1780

Model illustrating Professor Andrews' experiments on the relation between the pressure, volume and temperature of carbonic acid

Cast plaster phrenological head with numbered sections cast into the head, made by Francisco Mitchelelle of Pathhead, mid 19th century

Ball made of solid pith?, coated with gesso and set with thin strips of reed in a lozenge pattern: Ancient Egyptian, probably New Kingdom, c.1550-1069 BC

Necklace consisting of twenty-one ribbed beads in gold foil over a plaster core, excavated in Tomb 72, Cemetery A: Ancient Egyptian, Middle Egypt, Haraga, Middle Kingdom, c.1880-1750 BC

Reproduction in painted plaster of the bust of Queen Nefertiti: original is Ancient Egyptian, excavated in the workshop of Thutmose at Amarna, Middle Egypt, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty - Reproduction made in berlin, Germany, AD 1938