Becky Wallower
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bwallower.bsky.social
Becky Wallower
@bwallower.bsky.social
1.3K followers 540 following 1.3K posts
archaeology, history, environment, quirky stuff -- love London, arts, travel -- writer, organiser, modest activist/stirrer 🏺
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bwallower.bsky.social
Love Barbara Hepworth sculptures, though somewhat mystified how Art Newspaper's '10 essential works in UK. includes the one at UN in New York....
Here's one of my local favourites instead: a smaller version of the UN one called Single Form (Memorial), in Battersea Park.
Cast bronze sculpture by Barbara Hepworth of elongated irregular shape, with a hole perforating it at top left, beside a lake in Battersea Park on a bright day in London.
November 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/10/30/t...
Ten essential Barbara Hepworth works to see in the UK
Barbara Hepworth was one of the most important artists of the 20th century, who helped shape what we think of as Modern sculpture today
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:08 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/21/p...
Penn Museum opens Native North America Gallery after two-year overhaul
The Philadelphia museum, located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, has completely rethought the 2,000-sq.-ft gallery in collaboration with eight Indigenous curators
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
lizanderson.bsky.social
Adrian Chiles interviewing a Norfolk woman metal detectorist on Saturday Live R4, though not giving her time to answer questions properly. She’s found a gold Iceni Quarter Stater (coin) but apparently this doesn’t count as treasure. Good she’s referenced the need to report/record finds on the PAS.
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
bwallower.bsky.social
#StaircaseSaturday
Breathtakingly lovely.
The Palladian 'Tulip Staircase' in Inigo Jones' Queen's House in Greenwich - the first unsupported spiral stair in Britain.
Commissioned c.1616 by Anne of Denmark, Queen to James I.
Completed c.1635 for Henrietta Maria, Queen to Charles I.
A spiral staircase, cantilevered from surrounding circular walls, all in white. Bannister railings in elegant blue wrought iron with designs featuring spiral stems and tulip like flowers. These were probably meant to be lillies, connected to French royal symbolism of Henrietta Maria.
November 22, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
bwallower.bsky.social
Back to Secrets of the Thames exhibition at Lon Museum to write update for next @londonarchaeo.bsky.social.
So many intriguing #FindsFriday from the foreshore.
Here badges 1300-1500 for #PhallusFriday: 1 popping out of purse, several dancing on comb, plus cockerel worn to crow about virility.
ALT
Displayed in Secrets of the Thames exhibition at London Museum Docklands: 3 lead badges, worn on cloaks or hats. Left a cockerel, worn by young Londoners to advertise virility. Cock was a symbol for lust Centre: a purse decorated with cross hatch design with dots; a phallus is popping up in the centre between bag and handle. Purses were symbols of good fortune and metaphors for vaginas. Right: a double sided comb, with dancing phalluses in the central band. Displayed on a thin stand in an exhibition case. Found by mudlarks JB Hathaway, Tony Pilson and Ian Smith. The exhibition tells history and stories behind hundreds of mudlarked finds over the centuries.
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
allantadams.bsky.social
The Second World War left its mark on Bamburgh in the form of beach defences, including anti-tank cubes and pillboxes. There are also a number of aeroplane items in the castle museum.

#Sketchbook #drawing #ArtShare
Watercolour sketch of concrete blocks on the edge of a sandy beach, partially blocking a curving pathway climbing through sand dunes. In the background is a row or houses with a church tower just visible between the buildings. Pencil and watercolour sketch of a Second World War pillbox among grass covered sand dunes with a large castle in the background. Pen sketch of a Second World War aircraft gunsight.
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
Back to Secrets of the Thames exhibition at Lon Museum to write update for next @londonarchaeo.bsky.social.
So many intriguing #FindsFriday from the foreshore.
Here badges 1300-1500 for #PhallusFriday: 1 popping out of purse, several dancing on comb, plus cockerel worn to crow about virility.
ALT
Displayed in Secrets of the Thames exhibition at London Museum Docklands: 3 lead badges, worn on cloaks or hats. Left a cockerel, worn by young Londoners to advertise virility. Cock was a symbol for lust Centre: a purse decorated with cross hatch design with dots; a phallus is popping up in the centre between bag and handle. Purses were symbols of good fortune and metaphors for vaginas. Right: a double sided comb, with dancing phalluses in the central band. Displayed on a thin stand in an exhibition case. Found by mudlarks JB Hathaway, Tony Pilson and Ian Smith. The exhibition tells history and stories behind hundreds of mudlarked finds over the centuries.
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
deanwilson.bsky.social
Beach Finds
#Withernsea
November 20, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
drrjwarren.bsky.social
#ArtDD2025
Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d'Avignon from the Papal Palace of Avignon

For @bwallower.bsky.social as I can't find an earlier version. 😊

@saocousins.bsky.social @holnicotenh.bsky.social @stevecobbin.bsky.social @andykaitken.bsky.social @indikon.bsky.social @mayfieldbirder.bsky.social
Ink and paint view of classical tower of the cathedral seen between two stone towers, with steps leading down in the centre and a tree.
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
followinghadrian.bsky.social
The Roman emperor who died from eating too much cheese. www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
The Roman emperor who died from eating too much cheese
Lots of emperors met ignominious ends. And then there was Antoninus Pius.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
fotofacade.bsky.social
Taken this evening in Chesham Woods. We forget how beautiful trees are in the Winter, their branches etched into the skies.
November 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/19/r...
Rijksmuseum to host study exploring potential benefits of art for people with Parkinson’s
A leading neurologist is working with the Amsterdam museum to see if making or encountering art can help ease symptoms of the degenerative disease
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/20/b...
British Museum stubs out controversial tobacco sponsorship deal
The move follows a recent report which described the partnership as a key part of the tobacco firm’s lobbying strategy
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
bwallower.bsky.social
All a bit manic just now, so turning to a joyous medieval flying hooved doggo/dragon for #TilesOnTuesday.
And he's a very good boy.
Among riches of MOLA's 2021 Blossom St site north of Spitalfields - Iron Age horse remains, Roman burials, medieval walls, Tudor ovens + more.
Medieval encaustic tile with a winged creature in the centre of a circle+quatrefoil. He has hooved feet, floppy ears and snout like a dog, plus wings.
November 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
All a bit manic just now, so turning to a joyous medieval flying hooved doggo/dragon for #TilesOnTuesday.
And he's a very good boy.
Among riches of MOLA's 2021 Blossom St site north of Spitalfields - Iron Age horse remains, Roman burials, medieval walls, Tudor ovens + more.
Medieval encaustic tile with a winged creature in the centre of a circle+quatrefoil. He has hooved feet, floppy ears and snout like a dog, plus wings.
November 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/18/m...
‘Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts’ goes on show in Rome
The bible, which is considered a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art, is on display as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/17/a...
Artist studios in Kyiv damaged by Russian drone strike for second time
Nahirna22, a 30-studio space led by Gen Z artists, had recently reopened following a similar attack in August
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
Who knew? Farty gas light by the Savoy. We do have a stink pipe round the corner here in Balham though.
drsadiewatson.bsky.social Sadie Watson @drsadiewatson.bsky.social · 6d
And don’t forget we have one last gas lamp powered by actual human gas 💨

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-...
November 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
#StainedGlassSunday
This window is one of 3 memorials in St Aidan's Bamburgh to heroine Grace Darling, pictured w her pink oar.

At 22, the lighthouse keeper's daughter rowed out w her father to rescue survivors of SS Forfarshire, shipwrecked in fierce storms off the Farne Islands in 1838.
Victorian stained glass window with three large figures featured across the centre representing charity, fortitude and hope. Fortitude in the centre holds a pink oar. Angels are depicted in panels below, and above are blue and red glazed sections with stars or crowns in the centres, and an angel at the top.. It is a memorial to Grace Darling was one of the most celebrated heroine of the Victorian age. She was just 22 years old when she risked her life in an open boat to help the survivors of the wrecked SS Forfarshire on 7 September 1838. With her father, she rowed for over a mile through raging seas to reach them.
November 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
bwallower.bsky.social
#SteepleSaturday
From Papal Palace of Avignon, the steeple of Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d'Avignon.
Built 12th C, tower collapsed and reconstructed in 15th. Gilded Virgin Mary added on top in 19th.
@drrjwarren.bsky.social posted her lovely painting on other side, but I can't find it! Pls repost.
A view through towers from ramparts of Papal Palace of Avignon to Cathedral. It has a large square tower with two of the upper levels having narrow slit-like windows on two visible sides. On top is a round arched construction with a gilt statue of Virgin Mary on top. In front of the church is a gabled entry way, and other extensions are to the right, on the south side.
November 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Becky Wallower
bwallower.bsky.social
#AllMetalMonday 🏺
Quack!
A bronze duck w flat body decorated in relief, long neck, open beak and sturdy legs.
Plus second duck w 2 little ones on its back.
From C6 BC hoard found in Ortanova near Foggia in Puglia, representing material culture of indigenous Daunian people.
MArTA Taranto
Two larger ducks each standing on a square block with open beaks and bulging eyes. On lower plinth the duck can be seen to have raised lines on the wings folded over its back. The upper duck has two ducklings on its back.
November 14, 2025 at 8:34 AM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/13/p...
Private collectors’ return of artefacts to Ghana highlights UK's inaction on restitution, heritage experts say
British art historian Hermione Waterfield and South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti have retuned objects to Ghana's Asante Kingdom
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:06 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/11/14/i...
In southern Italy, a long-planned excavation is revealing the secrets of an ancient Greek sanctuary
This summer a team of archaeologists resumed their work on a site dating back to around 600BC, known for its three well-preserved Doric temples
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
bwallower.bsky.social
Nothing like the martyrdom of Becket to brighten up a Friday.
From Canterbury Cathedral windows in BM's 2021 Becket exhibition
November 14, 2025 at 11:37 AM