The Society of Antiquaries of London
@antiquaries.bsky.social
In the heart of London, we are the centre of antiquarian learning, discovery & community. As a royal learned society, our Fellows have been inspiring scholarship, debate & research for over 300 years. Also own Kelmscott Manor, past home of William Morris.
The Christmas rush was alive and strong, even as far back as 1850. This scene from the London Illustrated News shows the crowded state of train platforms, with people preparing to get to their Christmas destinations, laden with gifts, baggage and even livestock!
December 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The Christmas rush was alive and strong, even as far back as 1850. This scene from the London Illustrated News shows the crowded state of train platforms, with people preparing to get to their Christmas destinations, laden with gifts, baggage and even livestock!
It's getting cold, but it's not 'Mount Vesuvius covered in snow' levels yet.
This lovely print of the snow-covered Vesuvius comes from Sir William Hamilton FSA's 'Campi Phlegræi: Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies'.
This lovely print of the snow-covered Vesuvius comes from Sir William Hamilton FSA's 'Campi Phlegræi: Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies'.
December 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
It's getting cold, but it's not 'Mount Vesuvius covered in snow' levels yet.
This lovely print of the snow-covered Vesuvius comes from Sir William Hamilton FSA's 'Campi Phlegræi: Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies'.
This lovely print of the snow-covered Vesuvius comes from Sir William Hamilton FSA's 'Campi Phlegræi: Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies'.
For #NationalIllustrationDay2025 organised by the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration we've got this charming engraving on paper of a a dodo, hen, and a cacatua. This illustration comes from Thomas Herbert's 'Some Years’ Travels into Divers Parts of Africa, and Asia the great' (London, 1677).
November 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
For #NationalIllustrationDay2025 organised by the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration we've got this charming engraving on paper of a a dodo, hen, and a cacatua. This illustration comes from Thomas Herbert's 'Some Years’ Travels into Divers Parts of Africa, and Asia the great' (London, 1677).
This stone head with coronet was found on the site of Merton Priory, Surrey, in 1797. The diplomat and collector Sir William Hamilton FSA presented the head on behalf of the Priory’s landowner to the Society in 1802.
November 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
This stone head with coronet was found on the site of Merton Priory, Surrey, in 1797. The diplomat and collector Sir William Hamilton FSA presented the head on behalf of the Priory’s landowner to the Society in 1802.
Our Royal Charter arguably saved the Society from extinction in the mid-eighteenth century. Before this time, the Society existed without a permanent meeting place with inconsistent attendance.
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Our Royal Charter arguably saved the Society from extinction in the mid-eighteenth century. Before this time, the Society existed without a permanent meeting place with inconsistent attendance.
This print reproduces the Alfred Jewel, a masterpiece of goldsmithing, ft. a tear-shaped slice of rock crystal, gold filigree & cloisonné enamel. It's believed to have been commissioned by King Alfred the Great as indicated by the inscription ÆLFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN = Alfred ordered me to be made.
November 21, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This print reproduces the Alfred Jewel, a masterpiece of goldsmithing, ft. a tear-shaped slice of rock crystal, gold filigree & cloisonné enamel. It's believed to have been commissioned by King Alfred the Great as indicated by the inscription ÆLFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN = Alfred ordered me to be made.
What are you wearing now the weather's turning colder? We suggest some Hibernian fashion this winter season, as modelled here by this couple donning some cosy looking threads.
This image comes from 'Costumes of the British Isles', showing the clothing of Hibernians.
This image comes from 'Costumes of the British Isles', showing the clothing of Hibernians.
November 19, 2025 at 12:56 PM
What are you wearing now the weather's turning colder? We suggest some Hibernian fashion this winter season, as modelled here by this couple donning some cosy looking threads.
This image comes from 'Costumes of the British Isles', showing the clothing of Hibernians.
This image comes from 'Costumes of the British Isles', showing the clothing of Hibernians.
We’re delighted to announce that our Honorary Fellows elected by the Fellowship for 2025 are Dr Ross Austin Burns and Professor David Olusoga OBE!
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
We’re delighted to announce that our Honorary Fellows elected by the Fellowship for 2025 are Dr Ross Austin Burns and Professor David Olusoga OBE!
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
www.sal.org.uk/2025/11/hon-...
The privy at Kelmscott Manor, the Benedictine Abbey of Crowland, Ayscoughfee Enlightenment, divine architecture, ancient Egypt - what do these have in common? They're all talks, along with more, that will be featured at our Collections & Research Day! www.sal.org.uk/event/crd-25/
November 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The privy at Kelmscott Manor, the Benedictine Abbey of Crowland, Ayscoughfee Enlightenment, divine architecture, ancient Egypt - what do these have in common? They're all talks, along with more, that will be featured at our Collections & Research Day! www.sal.org.uk/event/crd-25/
This image is part of a detailed account of King Edward VI’s procession in 1547 from the Tower of London to the Palace of Westminster on the day before his coronation. Unique to this scene is its recording of the City, especially Cheapside with its goldsmiths’ shops.
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This image is part of a detailed account of King Edward VI’s procession in 1547 from the Tower of London to the Palace of Westminster on the day before his coronation. Unique to this scene is its recording of the City, especially Cheapside with its goldsmiths’ shops.
This diptych was made for a London scrivener or local clerk, Henry Farley, as part of his campaign for the restoration of St Paul’s Cathedral from 1615 until 1622.
November 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This diptych was made for a London scrivener or local clerk, Henry Farley, as part of his campaign for the restoration of St Paul’s Cathedral from 1615 until 1622.
During both World Wars, the Society tried to prevent destruction of its books and collections by moving some of them out of London to safer storage.
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
During both World Wars, the Society tried to prevent destruction of its books and collections by moving some of them out of London to safer storage.
Until February, we have a display available to all those coming to our building as either members or attending an event. Inked in Memory examines how artists and Antiquaries created visual records of objects and places before the invention of photography.
November 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Until February, we have a display available to all those coming to our building as either members or attending an event. Inked in Memory examines how artists and Antiquaries created visual records of objects and places before the invention of photography.
We had a great pilot session for our new school workshops! If your KS3-5 students would enjoy a free workshop exploring Magna Carta & the Making of History (&featuring fab primary sources) contact [email protected]. Scheme kindly supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Farrer & Co.
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
We had a great pilot session for our new school workshops! If your KS3-5 students would enjoy a free workshop exploring Magna Carta & the Making of History (&featuring fab primary sources) contact [email protected]. Scheme kindly supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Farrer & Co.
Next Tuesday at 1pm join Dawn Kemp, Director of Museums of the @collegeofsurgeons.bsky.social, who will talk about her recent research into a long-lost painting of an 18th-century London amputation scene, with surprising connections!
www.sal.org.uk/event/amputa...
www.sal.org.uk/event/amputa...
November 7, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Next Tuesday at 1pm join Dawn Kemp, Director of Museums of the @collegeofsurgeons.bsky.social, who will talk about her recent research into a long-lost painting of an 18th-century London amputation scene, with surprising connections!
www.sal.org.uk/event/amputa...
www.sal.org.uk/event/amputa...
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.'
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.'
This print shows a grand firework display that took place at the Duke of Richmond's residence at Whitehall, River Thames, in 1749. The display was organised in honour of King George II to celebrate the signing of the treaty at Aix la Chapelle, marking the end of the War of Austrian Succession.
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
This print shows a grand firework display that took place at the Duke of Richmond's residence at Whitehall, River Thames, in 1749. The display was organised in honour of King George II to celebrate the signing of the treaty at Aix la Chapelle, marking the end of the War of Austrian Succession.
Visit our #HistDay25 stand at @senatehouselib.bsky.social today! Come for the ladybird book, stay for the pick n mic sweets.
November 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Visit our #HistDay25 stand at @senatehouselib.bsky.social today! Come for the ladybird book, stay for the pick n mic sweets.
Our staff are fiendishly friendly today, ready to welcome you into the depths of our Library.....if you have the guts to enter....
October 31, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Our staff are fiendishly friendly today, ready to welcome you into the depths of our Library.....if you have the guts to enter....
Party time for skeletons! ☠️🎉Here is a woodcut from Liber Chronicarum (commonly known as the Nuremberg Chronicle), published 1493. It's a Latin chronicle of Christian world history from Creation until 1493, divided into seven ages, with the concluding section on the anticipated end of days.
October 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Party time for skeletons! ☠️🎉Here is a woodcut from Liber Chronicarum (commonly known as the Nuremberg Chronicle), published 1493. It's a Latin chronicle of Christian world history from Creation until 1493, divided into seven ages, with the concluding section on the anticipated end of days.
Do you dare stare into the eyes of spooky child this Halloween? Take your chance today at our Haunted by the Past event until 3.30pm today! www.sal.org.uk/event/haunte...
October 31, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Do you dare stare into the eyes of spooky child this Halloween? Take your chance today at our Haunted by the Past event until 3.30pm today! www.sal.org.uk/event/haunte...
These images are illustrations from the book showing the visage of named demons, geomantic characters (the 16 geomantic figures are primary symbols utilised in geomancy, an ancient divinatory practice), and tools used for rituals.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
These images are illustrations from the book showing the visage of named demons, geomantic characters (the 16 geomantic figures are primary symbols utilised in geomancy, an ancient divinatory practice), and tools used for rituals.
The Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer, was a handbook on occult and ceremonial magic compiled by Francis Barrett and published in 1801. Barrett drew on earlier Renaissance writings including that of John Dee but most of his work comes from Cornelius Agrippa whom he termed a 'famous magician'.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer, was a handbook on occult and ceremonial magic compiled by Francis Barrett and published in 1801. Barrett drew on earlier Renaissance writings including that of John Dee but most of his work comes from Cornelius Agrippa whom he termed a 'famous magician'.
This image comes from a German manuscript made up of a large collection of coats of arms, mostly in colour, which relate mainly to the Holy Roman Empire. It was probably written in southwest Germany or Switzerland, around the early 16th century (after 1531).
October 29, 2025 at 10:58 AM
This image comes from a German manuscript made up of a large collection of coats of arms, mostly in colour, which relate mainly to the Holy Roman Empire. It was probably written in southwest Germany or Switzerland, around the early 16th century (after 1531).
This image comes from the book The Discoverie of Witchcraft, wherein the Lewde dealing of Witches & Witchmongers is notablie detected, in 16 books...whereunto is added a Treatise upon the Nature and Substance of Spirits and Devils. It was published in 1584 by Reginald Scot, an MP & author in London.
October 24, 2025 at 9:52 AM
This image comes from the book The Discoverie of Witchcraft, wherein the Lewde dealing of Witches & Witchmongers is notablie detected, in 16 books...whereunto is added a Treatise upon the Nature and Substance of Spirits and Devils. It was published in 1584 by Reginald Scot, an MP & author in London.