british museum press london (Plus de 2 800 résultats)

Paperback. Etat : Near Fine. 1st. 72 pages, illustrations; 25 cm. Near fine. Firm binding, clean inside copy. Age toning. *** The collector is anonymous. Size: 8vo.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The annual ritual pilgrimage to Makkah was established by the Prophet Muhammad in the last year of his life (AD 632). Over the following centuries the experience and importance of Hajj have been evocatively documented in countless ways. Highlighting the pilgrims' journey across time, the sacred rituals of Hajj, and the city of Makkah itself, this beautiful little book features illuminated manuscripts, wall paintings and photographs, as well as calligraphy, textiles, scientific instruments, decorative tiles, maps, ceramics, metalwork and powerful works by contemporary artists. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Good. This lively book considers the various fascinating stories which have evolved to explain the ownership, concealment and discovery of the pieces whilst also placing them in the wider context of the ancient game of chess and secular art of the middle Ages. The Lewis Chessmen consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks. They were found in the vicinity of Uig on the Isle of Lewis, but were probably made in Norway, in around 1150-1200 AD. At this time, the Western Isles where the Chessmen were buried were part of the kingdom of Norway, and not Scotland as they are today. Although very few details of the origins of the Chessmen are known, it is possible that they belonged to a merchant travelling from Norway and that they were buried for safekeeping on route to be traded in Ireland. This seems likely as there are enough pieces, though with some elements missing, to make four sets. No exact account of the discovery remains, but they apparently came to light after the collapse of a sand-bank on the coast of the island revealed their hiding place to a passing islander. All that is certain is that they were found some time before 11th April 1831 when they were exhibited at the Society of the Antiquaries in Scotland. Of the original 93 pieces discovered on the Isle of Lewis, 82 pieces are now housed in the British Museum. An exciting read for anyone interested in the history of the famous chess pieces. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration.

Paperback. Etat : new. Paperback. A selection of attractive pictures to colour, based on people and objects from the Bible lands. All the images are based on artefacts in the British Museum. A selection of attractive pictures to colour, based on people and objects from the Bible lands. All the images are based on artefacts in the British Museum. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The Rosetta Stone contains a decree written three times in Greek, Demotic and hieroglyphic that provided the key to the mysterious hieroglyphic script of ancient Egypt, and opened up 3,000 years of the country's history and culture. This book tells the fascinating story of one of archaeology's icons, from its creation in the second century BC, to its discovery in 1799 during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, to the subsequent race to decipher its hieroglyphic text. Undertaken by two brilliant scholars - the Frenchman Jean-Francois Champollion, and the English physicist Thomas Young - it was the former who eventually succeeded in making the crucial breakthrough. Today the Rosetta Stone stands in the Museum as an enduring symbol of human understanding and communication through the ages. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Good. A practical teach-yourself course on ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs for the general reader. In this text, the grammar of ancient Egypt is introduced using the inscriptions found on monuments, with an emphasis on learning to read and translate accurately. A series of 43 exercises accompanies an easy to follow ten-step guide and is supported by a reference section of sign-lists and a short dictionary at the end of the text. Background notes on general topics including gods, royal dynasties and principal sites aim to help the reader to understand the historical concept. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. Discover the real story behind The Dig, streaming now on Netflix, starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes A warriors face the strong brows inlaid with red garnets, the nose and mouth gilded and its surface tinned a silvery colour this is how the Sutton Hoo helmet once appeared to those who saw it. Beautifully crafted and visually stunning, it would have inspired awe. But it was also fully capable of protecting its wearer in battle. This book explains how it was discovered together with other priceless treasures including a ship in the great mound at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, by the archaeologist Basil Brown in the late 1930s. He was employed by the owner of the estate, Mrs Edith Pretty, who generously donated the whole find to the British Museum. After painstaking reconstruction, experts were able to compare this very rare helmet to the few others dating to the same period, and also to speculate for whom it might have been created. Today, some 1,400 years after it was buried, it is the centrepiece for the Sutton Hoo burial exhibit in the British Museum a remarkable testament to Anglo- Saxon power and artistic skill. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The Terracotta Army of Qin Shihuangdi, the First Emperor of China, is one of the most spectacular and best-known finds in world archaeology. It was discovered by surprise in 1974 by peasants digging a well, an 8,000-man garrison in battle-ready formation, spread across four pits. Here were life-size warriors made over two thousand years ago from fired clay (originally brightly painted), carrying real weapons: cavalry, archers and infantry; lowly foot soldiers and high-ranking officers; horses and war chariots. But who was this powerful Emperor of the Qin Dynasty who needed an army to guard him in the afterlife? How were the figures made? How could they have been manufactured on such a vast scale? The astonishing facts behind the figures are revealed in this little book's fascinating introduction. Individual pieces are then examined in detail to illustrate the amazing nature of the Terracotta Army. Not only are there figures of different ranks and units, but each head is unique: every racial group in China seems to be represented; facial expressions and hairstyles vary; ages and characters are different. Atmospheric photography and extended captions bring the Army to life and make this book a perfect introduction to what has often been described as the eighth Wonder of the World. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. From late antiquity through to the early middle ages, people across north-western Europe were inscribing runes on a range of different objects. Once identified and interpreted by experts, runes provide us with invaluable evidence for the early Germanic languages including English, Dutch, German and the Scandinavian languages and reveal a wealth of information about our early civilisations. Runes employ many techniques from informal scratchings to sophisticated inlaid designs on weapons, or the exquisite relief carvings of the Franks Casket. The task of reading and understanding them involves a good deal of detective-work, calling on expertise from a number of academic disciplines: archaeology, art history, linguistics, and even forensic science. This book tells the story of runes from their mysterious origins, their development as a script, to their use and meaning in the modern world. Illustrated with a range of beautiful objects from jewellery to tools and weapons, Runes will reveal memorials for the dead, business messages, charms and curses, insults and prayers, giving us a glimpse into the languages and cultures of Europeans over a thousand years ago. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. An informative guide to the relationship between humans and cats in the ancient Egyptian world. Cats can be seen in ancient Egyptian homes, temples and adorning the heads of their gods. Cats in Egypt were probably domesticated by around 4,000 BC from wild ancestors. Over the following centuries, they became popular household pets. In this book, Dr Malek draws on a vast range of artistic and written sources to show how cats became one of the most widely esteemed and revered animals in Egypt. An ideal gift for any fan of ancient Egyptian culture. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. This lively book considers the various fascinating stories which have evolved to explain the ownership, concealment and discovery of the pieces whilst also placing them in the wider context of the ancient game of chess and secular art of the middle Ages. The Lewis Chessmen consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks. They were found in the vicinity of Uig on the Isle of Lewis, but were probably made in Norway, in around 1150-1200 AD. At this time, the Western Isles where the Chessmen were buried were part of the kingdom of Norway, and not Scotland as they are today. Although very few details of the origins of the Chessmen are known, it is possible that they belonged to a merchant travelling from Norway and that they were buried for safekeeping on route to be traded in Ireland. This seems likely as there are enough pieces, though with some elements missing, to make four sets. No exact account of the discovery remains, but they apparently came to light after the collapse of a sand-bank on the coast of the island revealed their hiding place to a passing islander. All that is certain is that they were found some time before 11th April 1831 when they were exhibited at the Society of the Antiquaries in Scotland. Of the original 93 pieces discovered on the Isle of Lewis, 82 pieces are now housed in the British Museum. An exciting read for anyone interested in the history of the famous chess pieces. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. Money has always been a subject of interest, today more so than ever. For centuries it has performed a key role around the globe most obviously in trade and the economy, but also in the development of national identities, religions and the spread of empire. Introduced as measurements of weight to serve the most basic of functions, these currencies have changed appearance and meaning throughout the ages and developed into complex monetary units we know today. With a brief but informative biography of each of the currencies, it reveals where and how each originated, the various roles they performed, and how they spread, survived and changed over the years. Some may have fallen into disuse but they might also have been revived in new and unexpected forms, and in different locations. Charting the rise and fall of each, the book will look at how the movements, developments and designs of currencies can highlight broader themes of history such as the characteristics of empire, trade and migration and the personalities of kings and rulers and how they can be identified as barometers for the political fortunes of a nation. Packed full of facts and interesting stories, and thoughtfully illustrated with images from the British Museum and beyond, Symbols of Power is an illuminating account of world currencies and the crucial role they play in our world. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. Edward Burne-Jones, member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is renowned for his beautiful but usually melancholy evocations of a mythical, literary, ancient or medieval world, as well as his life-long friendship with William Morris. It will surprise many therefore to discover that he was a talented caricaturist and comic sketch artist. This charming book reveals a man brimming with imagination, a keen eye and impish sense of humour who took delight in drawing to amuse and entertain. His witty but affectionate caricatures of friends and family feature familiar faces, such as Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, while his self-caricatures are endearingly self-deprecating. Accompanying these are enchanting sketches he created to illustrate letters and entertain children, and an introduction discussing the life and work of the artist in wider context. Beautifully illustrated with rarely published pieces from the large collection at the British Museum, this book provides an insight into another side of Burne-Jones and illuminates the personality and relationships of one of the most beloved English romantic painters. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The Goths' sack of Rome in AD 410 was an event which shook the Roman world to its core. This gripping book uncovers the key factors that contributed to Alaric the Goth's capture of Rome: mass migrations, military incompetence, civil war, court intrigue, economic decline and religious bigotry. It also explains the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, including the loss of Britain, around AD 410. Telling a truly compelling story of a defining moment in history, the book is packed with dramatic characters and events. Bold personalities are brought to life, drawn from sources newly translated for this book by master storytellers thoroughly familiar with their subject. Although many have asked why Rome fell, few have told the tale of how it fell. The dramatic story is richly illustrated throughout with evocative sites and iconic objects, many drawn from the vast collections of the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. An illustrated treasury of the art from Pompeii and Herculaneum, this charming gift book displays the range of fascinating objects that were created by the skilled hands of accomplished classical craftsmen. A short introduction to each section provides enlightening information which helps to place these beautifully produced artworks in their historical and artistic context. With stunning details of frescoes, mosaics, sculpture, jewellery, glass and silverware, this little book provides an enchanting taste of the variety of art from these two cities. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. Under Moctezuma the mighty Aztec empire reached the height of its power; under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire met its ultimate downfall. The Aztecs ruled from the island metropolis of Tenochtitlan which, by the fifteenth century, stretched from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Ocean. Focusing on their last elected leader, Moctezuma II, this informative and beautifully illustrated little book explores the world of the Aztecs. It looks at their origins, the founding of their capital city Tenochtitlan, the structure of their society, their religious beliefs and ceremonies, their military prowess, their art and architecture, and their network of long-distance trade and tribute. The dramatic death of Moctezuma at the hands of the Spanish is also recounted. Moctezuma and the Aztecs not only offers a concise portrait of this famous, semi-divine figure but offers a wonderful introduction to a remarkable, sophisticated civilization. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The hieroglyphic writing of ancient Egypt intrigued and baffled people until Jean-Francois Champollion finally deciphered it in the 19th century. This book shows children how to recognize and read hieroglyphics for themselves and how to write names and short messages in hieroglyphic script. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. As well as food and medicine, the medieval garden provided pleasure, repose and refreshment to the senses. From detailed manuscript descriptions and illustrations, this work presents a picture of the various styles of medieval garden from the small enclosed herber to vast cultivated parks of royalty and nobility. The author combines her historical knowledge with practical experience of re-creating medieval gardens in various sites in England, explaining how she designed Queen Eleanor's garden at Winchester and Brother Cadfael's physic garden at Shrewsbury. She gives detailed descriptions of layouts, measurements, the types of tools required and the medieval gardener's calendar illustrated in the 12 "occupations of the months". The book also offers practical advice to readers on how to create typical medieval features in their gardens, such as a turf-covered brick bench, a rose- or vine-covered trellis, or a wild flower meadow. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. A practical teach-yourself course on ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs for the general reader. In this text, the grammar of ancient Egypt is introduced using the inscriptions found on monuments, with an emphasis on learning to read and translate accurately. A series of 43 exercises accompanies an easy to follow ten-step guide and is supported by a reference section of sign-lists and a short dictionary at the end of the text. Background notes on general topics including gods, royal dynasties and principal sites aim to help the reader to understand the historical concept. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The foundations of western civilisation were laid by the ancient societies which flourished in Mesopotamia, a land known as the fertile crescent, through which flows the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area saw some of the earliest experiments in agriculture and irrigation, the invention of writing, the birth of mathematics and the development of urban life. Using the evidence of archaeology and ancient texts, the author of this text explores the history of Ancient Mesopotamia from pre-historic times to the rise of Babylon before 1500 BC. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The summer of 1939 saw one of the most exciting archaeological finds ever dug from British soil, an undisturbed Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge in Suffolk. The ship, nearly 30m long, had been dragged uphill from the estuary of the River Deben to a royal gravefield and buried beneath a large circular mound. Amidships, in a textile-hung chamber, a sumptous burial was laid out unique in its glittering wealth of jewellery and unrivalled in the variety of objects that had been selected to represent every facet of the dead man's life. Gold and garnet jewellery, silver from the eastern Mediterranean, drinking vessels with silver gilt fittings, a magnificent helmet and parade shield, a lyre and sceptre were amongst the spectacular finds excavated in two hectic weeks just before the outbreak of World War II. Although no remains of a body survived and no personal possessions were found, the gold and garnet regalia alone implied that the burial was that of a king. But his identity remained elusive until research resulted in a date of 625/30 for the latest of a collection of small gold coins found in the ship, suggest that it may have been the grave of Raedwald, king of East Anglia, who died in 624/5. In this new edition of the survey first published in 1986, the excavation of the ship and its contents are described and illustrated and the results of many years' research at the British Museum are summarised. It also brings the story right up-to-date and includes illustrations of the most recent excavations. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. This practical guide is split into seven main sections, each covering a key geographical area or historical period: Africa, the Americas, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. An introduction to the collections in each of these areas is followed by a curated selection of key objects, arranged by room number to help orientate your visit. Following this are seven themed galleries: Enlightenment, Collecting the World, the Waddesdon Bequest, Living and Dying, Clocks and Watches, Money, and Prints and Drawings. Fully illustrated in colour, there is a complete map of the Museum at the front of the guide, which gives detailed directions. This is a perfect companion for visitors who want to savour the highlights of the collection. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Trade paperback. Etat : Fine. First edition. 128 p. Audience: College/higher education; General/trade.

Paperback. Etat : Good. This visual anthology features several hundred examples of patterns found in early Celtic art, before the Roman conquest of Europe. They are relatively little known, compared to the later, essentially Irish designs most often associated with the term "Celtic art". Early Celtic art was created in the 5th century BC by tribes in what is now the east of France and the Rhineland. Although some aspects were native, it borrowed Greek motifs and some Oriental influence. The Greek motifs were adapted, dissected and rearranged resulting in the distinctive patterns of a new style. Most of the craftsmen responsible were metalworkers, decorating artefacts for the ruling classes throughout Celtic Europe. After the 4th century BC, foreign influences ceased and Celtic art evolved under its own momentum. In Britain, it reached fresh heights in the 3rd century and continued to develop until the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC. The illustrations in this book provide new insights into the development of Celtic art and may serve as a source of ideas for designers, craftspeople, teachers and students. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. Persia (ancient Iran) occupies an important place among the great civilizations of the ancient world. The many splendid achievements of the early inhabitants of Iran range from the imaginatively painted pottery of the prehistoric period to the magnificent silver vessels of Sasanian times, and include the Luristan bronzes and the spectacular sculptures of Persepolis. Civilization began early in Iran, as it did elsewhere in the Ancient Near East, and the author traces the history, archaeology and art from the growth of settled communities in about 6000 BC through to the beginning of the Islamic period in the seventh century AD. This introduction is illustrated throughout with many examples drawn from the rich collection of Iranian antiquities in the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. Haiku poems about the natural world and the seasons are well known, but many poets have used the genre to capture the evocations of love. Combining elegant and restrained haiku with lively senryu poems, all aspects of romantic love are explored here with humour, satire, wit and compassion. Poems by both men and women from the 1600s to the present day are beautifully illustrated with images from the unrivalled collection of Japanese paintings and prints in the British Museum. From the tender and the melancholy to the witty and the ribald, the poems and images in Haiku: Love comment on the most universal of human emotions. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. An illustrated adventure telling the story of King Harald Sigurdsson, the last king of the Vikings Based on a true story, Haralds adventure takes him from a frightened teenager to wealthy and powerful warrior and finally, to a ruthless and tyrannical king, whose ambition leads him to a futile, yet glorious death at the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066. In this exciting and action-packed story, Harald journeys across the world from Scandinavia to Russia, Byzantium, Sicily, Turkey, Palestine and finally England. Travelling overland and by sea he gathers wealth, recongition and power, and along the way meets a range of famous and flamboyant historical figures including Cnut the Great, Prince Jaroslav of Kiev, the Empress Zoe and King Harold of England. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Etat : Very Good. The Papyrus of Hunefer is one of the most beautiful and famous items in the British Museums Egyptian collections, illustrated with detailed coloured paintings of the highest quality. Hunefer (his name means Mr Happy Day) was an official of high rank. The papyrus was buried with him and contains his personal selection of spells from what we now call the Book of the Dead. He expected the papyrus to help him to reach a happy eternal life, in which he could continue to enjoy the many pleasures of the living world without any of its sorrows or troubles. Hunefers papyrus includes lovely, detailed images of various important stages or rites on the way, including the opening of the mouth ceremony outside the tomb, in which priests carry out rites to give the mummy back its human senses, and the weighing of the heart in which the gods put Hunefers heart is on the scales with the feather of truth to show if he had been a good person in life. This book follows Hunefer on his magical journey and, in a very simple, accessible and visual way, demonstrates Ancient Egyptian beliefs about religion, life and death. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.