Collection: Ruskin Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Cornucopia)

  Personalia Collection

  Material relating specifically to Ruskin includes his collection of watercolours, drawings, sketchbooks, letters, books, engravings, visual aids from his art teaching, Brantwood and Grand Tour memorabilia, other personalia including his first bible and items associated with his philosophy and interests. There is also Collingwood’s sculpture of Ruskin, the funeral pall and devotions. Material associated with W G Collingwood includes his popular local artwork, family information and history and also a sculpture of the man by his daughter. There is also an extensive archive related to Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald Campbell (photographs and publications) relating to the world water-speed record attempts on Coniston Water.

  Subjects

  Personalia

  Social History Collection

  Social history material relates to the local area of Coniston and the High Furness fells and includes domestic items, the history of the Coniston Institute and also items relating to the history of the lake and its associated activities such as fishing and tourism.

  Subjects

  Social History

  Geology Collection

  The mineral collection was originally gifted by Ruskin to the Coniston Institute in 1884. The museum also holds a selection of local volcanic and sedimentary rock samples for ‘hands-on’ study.

  Subjects

  Geology

  Science and Industry Collection

  Industrial history includes material, equipment and tools from the local copper mines (exploited from the Bronze Age until the early 20th century) and the slate quarries. There are also arts and crafts objects such as Ruskin Linen and Lace and woodcarving, made by local cottage industries that were inspired by John Ruskin.

  Subjects

  Science and Industry

  Fine Art Collection

  The fine art includes a portrait of Ruskin in his old age by W.G. Collingwood, together with works by Ruskin including watercolours and drawings. Most notable works include Ilaria’s tomb in Lucca, Alpine valley, Standing Cloud over the Old Man, Sunset at Herne Hill, the Ducal Palace and an unfinished landscape in the gardens of Brantwood. There are also Ruskin family portraits and paintings of Ruskin’s various homes. Works by other artists include a series of prints by Turner. In addition, there is a dramatic sculpture of a charr by artist-blacksmith Chris Brammall.

  Subjects

  Fine Art

  Agriculture Collection

  Tools, artefacts and implements relating to the history of farming and animal husbandry in the area, particularly sheep farming.

  Subjects

  Agriculture

  Archaeology Collection

  Local archaeological finds including 2 Bronze Age urns, rough-outs and polished axes from the Stone Age Langdale axe factory and rare items from the Bronze Age.

  Subjects

  Archaeology

  Biology Collection

  Natural history material relates to the local area of Coniston and the High Furness fells including the lake as a natural habitat. It includes plant casts.

  Subjects

  Biology

  Transport Collection

  Themes include the history of the Coniston railway and the lake as a highway, including a model of an operating passenger craft, the steam-yacht Gondola.

  Subjects

  Transport

  Music Collection

  Ruskin’s harmonicon (a slate xylophone).

  Subjects

  Music

  Costume and Textile Collection

  Ruskin lace, linen and samplers, some costume and examples of contemporary knitting.

  Subjects

  Costume and Textile

  Decorative and Applied Art Collection

  Ruskin Pottery, Coniston School of Carving.

  Subjects

  Decorative and Applied Arts

  Numismatics Collection

  Coins and tokens.

  Subjects

  Numismatics

  Photographic Collection

  Photographs of local images include the lake, railway, farming, quarrying, former views of the village at Coniston, architecture and a series of images of the Coniston Copper Mines. Personalities include John Ruskin and his friends, and also the Campbells.

  Subjects

  Photography

  Archives Collection

  Archives include books, pamphlets, periodicals by and about John Ruskin, Coniston, geology and local history. There is an archive of Donald Campbell/Bluebird press coverage and photographs and engravings and photogravures made to illustrate Ruskin’s books (See also personalia).

  Subjects

  Archives

  Source: Cornucopia

  Date: Not known, but before 2015

  Licence: CC BY-NC