A little taste of history, one morsel at a time.
Today on Museum Bites we’re sampling crockery with a twist. These deceptively simple mugs and jugs were crafted for pure trickery and played a starring role in the 18th-century’s version of beer pong. Join me for a look at three of these clever devices…
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re sampling antique locks. These whimsical beauties are not only pretty, they did their part to protect the valuables behind them. Join me for a brief look at three clever locks I’ve come across in my travels. We begin in Amsterdam…
Happy Friday! We’re shooting for the stars today on Museum Bites with a tour through the Galileo Museum in Florence, Italy. Named after superstar scientist, Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), this museum is filled with scientific instruments from a wide variety of fields including astronomy, cartography, medicine, meteorology, navigation, physics, and much, much more. There are so many delightful gizmos and gadgets, but such little time. We’ll focus on just three. We begin with a massive sphere that is a colorful mix of both art and science…
Today on Museum Bites we’re diving head first into some strange games. From bull leaping to ear pulling (yes, that’s a thing) these unusual competitions may not be widely known, but they have been immortalized in art and local lore. Join me for a closer look. We begin on the island of Crete….
Today on Museum Bites we’re kicking off the spring season with a celebration of bunnies. Whether he’s outwitting Elmer Fudd, going after the throats of silly medieval knights, or bringing us baskets of sweets, these long-eared hoppers are a furry delight. Join me for a brief look at bunnies who dance, bring luck, serve up soup, and so much more. We begin on the African savanna…
Pull up a chair because today on Museum Bites we’re setting the table for a fancy feast. We’ll sample whimsical tableware that will dazzle and amuse. During our tour, we’ll melt over butter, pay homage to mustard, and get into a pickle. We begin by rolling back the clock to the late 18th century…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at Museum Bites and today we’re celebrating some of the generous gift givers featured in Christmas lore. Santa Claus, Father Christmas, and Saint Nicholas get top billing. But did you know Father Ice, a mischievous farm elf, and a leather-wearing Santa have all played a role in fostering Christmas cheer? Join me for a brief introduction to these festive folks. We begin in the wilds of the American frontier…
Today on Museum Bites we’re getting inked. Whether it is for self-decoration, group identification, magical protection or a therapeutic prescription, tattoos have a long and colorful history. From the snowy Alps to the Polynesian Islands, we have painted our bodies with vibrant hues and dazzling designs. Join me for a brief look into this ancient art. We begin by dialing the clock back to the Copper Age…
Despite taking a beating, the no-nonsense nail keeps it all together. Whether common or finishing this simple fastener props up our art, keeps our homes and buildings intact, fosters community, provides a unique form of acupressure, and gets hammered into clever forms of art. Join me for a brief bite into the unassuming nail.
The wild and vivid paintings sent shockwaves through the art world. These Anonymous Society upstarts were deemed a sloppy and crude bunch.
Museum Bites 