Professor Adlington's Cabinet of Curiosities

Cowrie shells were used for hundreds of years as money all over the world.

A laquer box made in Japan with an exquisite landscape with sacred white cranes delicately carved from wood.

In the 18th century these shells were so rare that one sold for the equivalent of $NZ200,000. One of the largest websites for information on shells is: https://www.shells-of-aquarius.com

Featuring excellent photographs and descriptions of the Crown Jewels. Crown Jewels Stolen! Colonel Thomas Blood, a known conspirator, made an infamous but unsuccessful attempt to steal the British Crown Jewels from the Tower of London in 1671. Disguised as a clergyman, Blood and his gang swiped the royal regalia from under the nose of their keeper, but they were captured as they made their escape through the capital. Blood was mysteriously pardoned by the king, and the regalia, although a little bashed, was given a much more secure home. Read more: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1953/colonel-blood--the-theft-of-the-crown-jewels/  More on the jewels in the Tower of London: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-crown-jewels/#gs.dkd9ao More on the Tower of London, including The Bloody Tower: https://www.planetware.com/london/tower-of-london-eng-l-tl.htm   

Used for repairing dolls. Collected at Avondale market. Below: before: Below: after:

Dentists make plaster casts like this when they make false teeth. Read on some history of false teeth: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33085031   Below: wooden false teeth!: Below: a vintage advertisement: A Joke: A little old couple walked slowly into McDonalds, the man placed his order and then paid for their meal. The couple took a table near the back wall and started taking food off of the tray. There was one hamburger, one order of french fries and one drink. The little old man unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half. He placed one half in front of his wife. Then he carefully counted out the french fries, divided them in two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. Other customers were thinking: "That poor old couple. All they can afford is one meal for the two of them."   As the man began to eat his french fries a young man came over to the old couple's table. He politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple to eat. T...

These chopsticks have been carved from jade in China. Don't know how to use chopsticks? It's easy!  See: https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-use-chopsticks-692615 Some easy Chinese recipes:  https://www.thespruceeats.com/quick-and-easy-chinese-recipes-for-beginners-4118330  Kidspot Kitchen - easy Asian recipes for children:   https://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes/collections/chinese-recipes