The British Museum

4 Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel +60 3 4145 6000 Fax +60 3 4022 3000 Royal Selangor International Sdn Bhd 8946K

All British Museum object images © The Trustees of the British Museum

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Craftsmanship, innovation and design since 1885

A museum of the world, for the world

The Royal Selangor story began in 1885 when a young pewterer, Yong Koon, sailed from the port of Shantou, China to the fledgling tin mining town of Kuala Lumpur. Having survived two world wars and economic turmoil, Royal Selangor upholds its heritage of craftsmanship with 250 skilled craftspeople, producing a fine range of homeware, gifts and personal accessories. Recognised internationally for its innovative designs, Royal Selangor has received many international awards, including the German red dot and the Japan’s G Mark. Its design team works with external designers and organisations from various parts of the world, to develop new collections every year. Royal Selangor’s factory is now part of an award-winning Visitor Centre that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is here that today’s generation of consumers learn about Royal Selangor’s humble beginnings and appreciate the beauty of pewter and the skills of its craftspeople

Founded in 1753, the British Museum was the first national public museum in the world. From the outset it was a museum of the world, for the world, and this idea still lies at the heart of the Museum’s mission today. The collection tells the stories of cultures across the world, from the dawn of human history, over two million years ago, to the present. Objects range from the earliest tools made by humans and the treasures from the ancient world to more recent acquisitions from Africa, Oceania and the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, as well as the national collections of prints and drawings, coins and medals.

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Royal Selangor and the British Museum Collaboration

The British Museum’s Department of Britain, Europe & Prehistory collection includes some of the earliest objects made by humans two million years ago and continues through prehistoric, bronze and iron ages and into the medieval, Renaissance and modern Europe. The collaboration between Royal Selangor and the British Museum focuses on the early art of Europe and features designs inspired by the Iron Age, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Viking cultures. The rich artistic legacy of these peoples has been interpreted into an exclusive collection of home and personal accessories.

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Harness-fitting Iron Age 35024 Circles Photoframe 5R, 23.5cm x 18.5cm

35024

Discovered at Somme-Bionne,

France, this fitting once ornamented a chariot or horse harness. It was buried in the grave of a powerful warrior who was laid to rest in a two-wheeled chariot.

Harness-fitting, Iron Age, 450 - 300 BC, Somme-Bionne chariot burial, France, British Museum ML.1369

The complex openwork design has been constructed from intersecting compass-drawn circles and arcs. It features a central setting surrounded by four circles linked by sickle-shapes. The openwork sections are outlined with fine lines and lines of dots.

The intricacy of the geometric interlacing patterns is reproduced on the borders of a photoframe.

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Flagon Iron Age 2295 Wolf Tankard, H14cm x Ø9.5cm, 56cL

2295

A copper alloy flagon unearthed at Basse-Yutz, France, its form originates from Etruscan ‘beaked’ jugs.

One of a pair of Flagons from Basse-Yutz, Iron Age, around 420 - 360 BC, Basse-Yutz, France, British Museum 1929,0511.1

The animal-shaped handle features a canine figure guarding her cubs on the rim. This is a common motif in easterly art across the central Asian steppe, and other aspects of the designs draw on Mediterranean materials and influences, showing how well-connected the makers must have been.

The ancient festive tradition is given a modern interpretation through an elegant tankard.

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Torc Terminal Iron Age 8107 Bud & Crescent Cufflinks, Ø2cm

The Witham Shield Iron Age 8608 Witham Shield Pendant, Ø4.5cm

8107

8608

A fashion accessory 2,000 years ago, the torc or neck ring was worn across much of Europe. Made of metal, it was probably an heirloom object, and a visible symbol of wealth and power. The face of the terminal is surrounded with a ridge and is delicately ornamented in La Tène style. The curving lines and circular forms of the terminal are reimagined on a pair of cufflinks, a staple of the modern gentleman’s wardrobe.

An iconic Iron Age object discovered in the River Witham, the motifs on the beautiful metal facing from this shield epitomise the rise of what is now known as Celtic art in Britain. At the top and bottom of the central spine is a roundel framed by a decorative design made up of a wavy, raised line which ends in a pair of comma-shaped repoussé motifs. Below these is an abstract animal head. The pendant borrows from the intricate design around the roundel.

Gold torc terminal, Iron Age, 150 - 50 BC, Clevedon, England, British Museum AF.412, bequeathed by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks

The Witham Shield, Iron Age, 300 - 200 BC, River Witham, England, British Museum 1872,1213.1

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Plaque Early Medieval 31019 Triskeles Candlestand, H7cm x 9cm x 4.5cm

31019

The surface of the bronze semi-circular plaque features two triskeles above swirling scrolls and trumpet patterns.

Bronze plaque of semi-circular shape, Celtic, 5th to 7th centuries, British Museum 1995,0905.1

Derived from the Greek word triskeles which mean three legs, the triskele or triple spiral is a complex ancient symbol. The intricacy of the triskeles and scroll motifs is captured on the sculpted surface of a candlestand.

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Penannular Brooch Celtic or Viking 36005 Goldsborough Valet Tray, Ø14cm

36005

An artefact from the Goldsborough hoard, the silver bossed penannular brooch was used to fasten cloaks and functioned as a status symbol that demonstrated the wealth and rank of the wearer. Stylised animal heads and openwork ornamentation decorate the ends of the brooch. The delicate beauty of the zoomorphic motifs is echoed in a contemporary home accessory, the valet tray.

Silver bossed penannular brooch, possibly Celtic or Viking, around the 9th to 10th century, Goldsborough, England, British Museum 1859,0511.2

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Pitney Brooch Viking or Anglo-Saxon 6831 Pitney Container, H5cm x Ø11cm

6831

Featuring a harmonious merging of Viking Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon art styles, the openwork brooch depicts a round-eyed snake biting the neck of a four-legged animal, which in turn bites itself. The animal’s body is marked out with a line of beads and spirals. The fierce battle between these two fantastical creatures is brought to life on the lid of a trinket box.

The Pitney Brooch, Viking or Late Anglo-Saxon, late 11th century, Pitney, England, British Museum 1979,1101.1

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Sutton Hoo Helmet Anglo-Saxon 44006 Warrior Tea Caddy, H12.5cm x Ø7.5cm

44006

Unearthed at Sutton Hoo, one of the most famous archaeological digs in Britain, the iconic helmet was the face of Anglo-Saxon culture.

Replica of the Sutton Hoo helmet (British Museum 1939,1010.93), made by the Royal Armouries in 1973, British Museum SHR.2

The surfaces of the helmet are decorated with animal interlace, “Dancing Warrior” and “Fallen Warrior” motifs. An iron crest forms a great snake that arches over the top of the helmet. The crest meets the snout of a flying creature that covers the face of the helmet. The flying creature forms the nose, a moustache and eyebrows of a human face. The intricate design of the fearsome warrior mask is recreated on a tea caddy.

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Silver Gilt Fitting Anglo-Saxon 6007 Hound Head Letter Opener, 18.5cm

6007

A possible part of a seax sheath, the blade-like seax was a popular weapon or tool among the Anglo-Saxons. The animal head has sharp, scrolled ears, blue-glass eyes and its tongue curls out between its fangs to touch the throat. The edge is enhanced with decorative hatching, and the neck bears a runic inscription. The abstract beauty of the slim silver zoomorphic fitting finds a modern expression in a letter opener.

Silver gilt fitting, possibly from a seax sheath, Middle Anglo-Saxon, late 8th century, Westminster Bridge, Thames River, London, England, British Museum 1869,0610.1

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Saucer Brooch Anglo-Saxon 33011R Floriate Vase, H12cm x Ø12.5cm x 4.5cm

33011 R

An Anglo-Saxon women’s accessory, saucer brooches were worn in pairs at the shoulders, and fastened with hinged pins. The surface is etched with an elegant cross with double spirals at the ends of the arms. Delicately sculpted in relief, the vase pays homage to Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship.

Gilt bronze saucer brooch, Early Anglo-Saxon, 5th century AD, Merton, England, British Museum 1923,0507.1, donated by G H Hadfield

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44006

44006

Warrior Tea Caddy

7.5cm x H12.5cm