A coffer, a recorder and a textile - objects that tell a history of Haslemere and its place in the world

A unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country was launched recently. A History of the World will tap in to the unique power of objects to tell stories and make connections across the globe.

BBC Surrey and museums across the county have revealed the list of seven objects they have chosen to tell a history of Surrey and its place in the world. The list of seven objects can be seen on the BBC Local site for Surrey, www.bbc.co.uk/surrey and all the objects are on display at the relevant museums. Haslemere Educational Museum is proud to be contributing three out of the seven objects representing Surrey. These items comprise a 15th century Flemish coffer, a Russian naboika fabric and a Dolmetsch recorder. Alan Perry, Chairman of Haslemere Museum, stated, “We are thrilled to be playing such a significant part in this history of Surrey and to have this high profile opportunity to promote our fabulous collections”.

15th Century Flemish Coffer
This carved oak iron bound coffer was used in the 15th Century as a woman’s finery box. It was collected during the late Victorian era by Rev Gerald Davies. Inspired by the Arts & Crafts Movement, Davies travelled in Europe between 1885 and 1908 collecting peasant art objects. At this time traditional arts and crafts were considered under threat from modern ideas and technology. Davies collected pieces that were considered as authentic peasant art not made for sale but for use, aiming to preserve traditional handicrafts.

Russian Naboika Block-printed Fabric
This sample of linen was printed by hand in Russia during the early 20th century using a natural indigo dye and wooden blocks. It is known as naboika. The linen was used for aprons, skirts, headscarves and sometimes domestic interiors. It was produced through the commercial 'kustar' workshop system rather than homemade for personal use. Sometimes itinerant printers would carry their wooden printing blocks from village to village in carts. Blocks could also be purchased at fairs. As with the above coffer this was collected by Rev Gerald Davies.

Dolmetsch Recorder
Arnold Dolmetsch was a famous French musician who settled in Haslemere in 1917, establishing an instrument workshop. He built copies of every musical instrument dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries including the viol, lute, recorder and early keyboard instruments. In 1918 he built his first modern recorder and this was followed by descant, tenor and bass recorders. He also began the Haslemere Festival of Music in 1925 which was devoted exclusively to early instrumental chamber music. In 1925 Arnold passed over the management of recorder production to his son Carl. During World War Two Carl used the family's workshop for making parts of aircraft. This introduced the family to lots of 'new' materials including plastics and after the war he developed the inexpensive plastic recorder which did much to promote the use of the instrument in schools.

The objects featured in A History of the World are a tiny proportion of the amazing resource of our museums, but each one allows people to connect with aspects of our history in so many ways. And these objects are just a starting point, there are thousands more treasures and connections to uncover through local museums.

Listeners and viewers will be asked to suggest further objects and can actively participate by uploading photographs of their own objects that have a local or global appeal. At the end of February 2010 it is hoped each BBC Local website will have an additional ‘People’s 10 Objects’ telling the history of their region and its global connections.

BBC project manager for the Nations and English Regions, Seamus Boyd, said: “A truly fascinating range of objects has been chosen for each list across English regions. Some of them may have great monetary value, others little or none, but they're priceless in how they bring to life moments from history. This initial collection is just the blueprint to which we hope viewers and listeners will add their own objects and help to create a truly unique and vibrant tapestry of the past.”