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This early medieval silver, unearthed in Fife during the 19th century, is one of the largest Pictish hoards ever to be found.
ViewNavajo and Pueblo jewellery from the Southwest United States is denoted by its use of turquoise and silver.
ViewYour journey from Scotland to the world begins in the Grand Gallery, one of Scotland's most beautiful spaces.
ViewSalvaged from a shipwreck, this pocket watch has lain under water for over 300 years. But now a high-tech process has uncovered the hidden secrets of this rusty artefact.
ViewThis beautiful piece was commissioned from Scottish silversmith Hamish Dobbie by the P&O Makower Trust for the Making and Creating gallery.
ViewThis great silver-gilt tea service was created for the Emperor Napoleon and his second wife, the Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, shortly after their wedding in 1810.
ViewFound in Scotland, these exquisite axeheads were made over 6,000 years ago, high in the Italian Alps.
ViewThis remarkable contemporary artwork by artist Bouke de Vries is constructed from fragments of glass and porcelain dolls.
ViewCharles de Temple was a pioneer in the method of melting and transforming gold into abstract forms.
ViewPinkie Maclure marries traditional craft techniques with a radically different aesthetic approach to stained glass.
ViewGayle Matthias challenges our perceptions of glass and embraces industrial processes.
ViewThese rare Wedgwood plates were designed by the famous Scottish artist and sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
ViewIn 1971, over 300 beautiful scent bottles were donated to National Museums Scotland. The scent bottles were collected by Ida Pappenheim. Discover the story behind this charming collection.
ViewThis acquisition by contemporary Japanese artist, Taguchi Fumiki, has been laboriously carved to sparkle like diamonds.
ViewThe Ann Paludan Photographic Archive consists of more than 10,000 photographsof historical Chinese sculptures, and represents over thirty years of site visits and research by writer and art historian Ann Paludan (1928–2014).
ViewRecreate your favourite museum objects and places using the LEGO you have at home!
ViewDelve into the diverse collection of pioneering ethnomusicologist Jean Jenkins.
ViewThis bracelet is an early example of Barbara Cartlidge’s work. Like many of the Nordic designers, Cartlidge chose to emphasise the natural form of gemstones in simple silver settings.
ViewThis articulated silver necklace encapsulating a large labradorite disc is one of Dorothy Hogg’s earliest works (1969-70).
ViewBuried around the middle of the 5th century AD, this hoard of Roman silver from Traprain Law in East Lothian is the largest known from outside the Roman Empire.
ViewThis rare and beautiful 13th century reliquary was made in Limoges to house the relics of saint.
ViewColourful and intriguing, this shawl transforms waste paper into a statement piece of art and fashion.
ViewThis dramatic ensemble by British designer Craig Green heads up the catwalk in our Fashion and Style gallery.
ViewCasualty of War: A Portrait of Maharaja Duleep Singh is by renowned British Sikh artists, The Singh Twins.
ViewKaj Franck designed Morning in Athens in 1954, this piece remained in production until 1975.
ViewDiscover how Highland dress was adapted in the Georgian period into the iconic and fashionable symbol of Scotland we know today.
ViewDiscover our Ancient Egypt, East Asia and Ceramics galleries.
ViewThe destruction of Hamilton Palace, the grandest stately home in Britain, was one of the greatest losses to national heritage ever to happen in this country. This is the story of how Scotland’s biggest treasure trove was won and lost.
ViewThis display highlights a small selection from our Scottish History & Archaeology collections, showing how research and collecting at National Museums Scotland is reshaping understandings of Scotland in the past, and reflecting the Scotland of today for future generations of museum visitors.
ViewBetween 29 November and 2 January we invited you to get creative and make art inspired by National Museums Scotland’s incredible collections and sites. There were 5 weekly themes to act as prompts for the challenge and get you thinking. As an extra twist, this year the themes were homophones– words that sound the same but have a different meaning, such as peace and piece. The Museum Art challenge was open to everyone - no experience necessary!
ViewHuge chains strike the eye with a comic book grandeur. Yet this is no comic or Pop Art painting but an Archie Brennan tapestry from 1977 entitled Chains.
ViewDiscover how these amazing glass models have been educating and inspiring visitors for almost 150 years.
ViewArguably the most famous and controversial figure in Scottish history, Mary Stewart has become something of an enigma.
ViewInformation to plan your self-guided group visit to the National Museum of Scotland.
ViewThis classic outfit was part of Marks & Spencer's 'Best of British' range, which celebrated British craftsmanship and creativity.
ViewDiscover how this unique piece of Scottish printing heritage found a new home at the National Museums Collection Centre – bringing with it a sprinkle of Harry Potter magic!
ViewIn August 1839, Lord Eglinton held a mock-medieval tournament at his estate in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The event was hugely popular, and around 100,000 people attended. Step onto the battlefield and discover some of the objects associated with this flamboyant festival here.
ViewPossibly the oldest in the world, this pitch drop demonstration is also one of the slowest science experiments ever created
ViewWhile reflecting telescopes came to predominate as large astronomical instruments in dedicated observatories, refracting instruments continue to be the most popular choice for portable instruments, from naval spyglasses to birdwatchers’ binoculars.
ViewIn our collection we have many items that have been linked to the famous Queen, but is this association fact or myth?
ViewThis bold and engaging sculpture is a mixed media piece made from recycled found objects.
ViewThis box inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Amenhotep II is one of the finest examples of decorative woodwork to survive from ancient Egypt.
ViewDiscover objects on loan to the new Trimontium Museum in the Scottish Borders
ViewThree dramatic barkcloth masks offer an insight into the traditional beliefs and celebrations of the Elema people from the Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea, at the turn of the 20th century.
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