Challenge of Materials

 

On Display

Turbine blades
 
Silicon nitride turbo-rotor, 1996.

The term ceramic, in its modern context, covers an extremely broad range of inorganic materials. They contain non-metallic and metallic elements and are produced by a wide variety of manufacturing techniques. They include pottery, refractories, cemen

 
Silver gilt pomander, 1700-1800.

Silver gilt pomander, straight sided cylindrical body, flat base, domed lid, decorated with an intricate open work filigree

 
Miniature mortar and pestle, silver, c 1901.

Silver miniature mortar and pestle, circular outsplayed mortar with 2 horizontal globular handles, hallmarked in London, probably imported from Europe, 1901

 
Pomander, possibly Tunisian, 1904.

Silver pomander, disc shaped, with loop for suspension, decorated with intricate filigree open work, marked

 
Lady's companion, 1771-1800.

Silver lady's companion composed of a thimble, bobbin, patch-box, vinaigrette and needle case, engraved decoration possibly late 18th century. Silver is a white noble metal which is very malleable and ductile. Pure silver is usually too soft to use a

 
Rubber ball from Peruvian child's grave, c 1600, and rubber seeds, 1876-1934.

Rubber ball from Peruvian child's grave (reputed to be over 300 years old)

 
Original rubber seeds brought by Sir Henry Wickham from Peru, 1876.

Two original rubber seeds brought by Sir Henry Wickham from Brazil in 1876

 
Three spools of polyethylene terephthalate filaments, 1943-1944.

Three spools of polyethylene terephthalate filaments produced at the Chemical Research Laboratory, Teddington (D.S.I.R) in 1943-44

 
Polythene walking stick, 1938.

Walking stick made of cream coloured polythene produced in the Wallerscote Pilot Plant of Imperial Chemical Industries, ltd., December 1938, England