National Museum of Australia@nma

Bringing to life rich and diverse stories of Australia. On Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri Country #OurNMA View our community standards: bit.ly/34KDEKN

 Canberra
nma.gov.au
Joined June 2009
7,010 Photos and videos
This week’s #MysteryObject is taking shape 🙌 Today's version of this tool looks a bit different, but we reckon the older model would still do the job. Do you know what it's used for?
Image of a mystery object. Made of metal, the object is flat and a half crescent shape, with a large hole in the middle. Two knobs protrude from the object – one on either side and below the hole, in the middle, a pointed piece of metal protrudes as well. Accompanying text reads: 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

ALT Image of a mystery object. Made of metal, the object is flat and a half crescent shape, with a large hole in the middle. Two knobs protrude from the object – one on either side and below the hole, in the middle, a pointed piece of metal protrudes as well. Accompanying text reads: 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

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Today is the 165th Melbourne Cup! Did you know the first Melbourne Cup was on a Thursday (7 November 1861)? Holding the event on the first Tuesday of November wasn't made tradition until 1875. 📷: ‘Toryboy, Winner of the Melbourne Cup 1865’ by S. S. Knights, State Library Vic
Cropped artwork of the 1865 Melbourne Cup, by artist Samuel Salkeld Knights. The artist depicts the horses parading prior to the running of the Cup. In the foreground is Torboy, the grey horse who would win the race. Visible in the background are crowds of people on the hill adjacent to the track. Overlay text reads 'The Melbourne Cup is 165 years old!'

ALT Cropped artwork of the 1865 Melbourne Cup, by artist Samuel Salkeld Knights. The artist depicts the horses parading prior to the running of the Cup. In the foreground is Torboy, the grey horse who would win the race. Visible in the background are crowds of people on the hill adjacent to the track. Overlay text reads 'The Melbourne Cup is 165 years old!'

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Can you guess what these items have in common? 🧐 We've got a brooch, made of gold and amethyst, a dust separator, a safety hook and a geologist's pick! They're all from our collection, but that's not the only thing that ties them together. Do you know the answer? 🤔
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This week's #MysteryObject might look familiar, but it has a specific function. Do you know what these are for? Drop your guess in the comments 👇
Image of wooden tongs. Accompanying text reads 'Can you guess this week's Mystery Object?'

ALT Image of wooden tongs. Accompanying text reads 'Can you guess this week's Mystery Object?'

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Answer: These are laundry tongs!
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Happy Halloween! These wicked witch and spooky tree artworks are preparatory designs for Norman Hetherington's 1954 marionette performance of ‘The Magic Tinder-Box! Even before his popular TV show Mr Squiggle, Hetherington's puppetry and artistry were delighting audiences.
A painting of a witch wearing a green robe and black shawl, shoes and pointed hat, has been overlaid on a design for a backdrop featuring a spooky looking tree and toadstools. Overlay text reads: ‘Happy Halloween from the magical world of Norman Hetherington!’

ALT A painting of a witch wearing a green robe and black shawl, shoes and pointed hat, has been overlaid on a design for a backdrop featuring a spooky looking tree and toadstools. Overlay text reads: ‘Happy Halloween from the magical world of Norman Hetherington!’
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Do you have your Halloween costume picked out and ready to go? 🎃 We’re digging into our collection for some fit inspo. Here’s what we came up with.
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Canberra Symphony Orchestra is returning to the Museum for a stunning evening show 😍 Titled ‘To Be Human’ this 1-hour performance asks the question, ‘Can AI be creative?’ 📍National Museum of Australia, Gandel Atrium 📅 12 November, 6:30pm Book tickets: bit.ly/4Br9kTA
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How did Australians represent themselves to other countries before federation? 🤔 Curator Suzanne Gibson is giving us a glimpse into the past with this pre-federation flag. It was commissioned by Australian miners while they were in Canada for the Klondike gold rush in 1898.
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Have you explored the incredible Harvest of Endurance Scroll? 🧐 Created by artists Mo Xiangyi and Wang Jingwen in 1988, the 50-metre scroll depicts 200 years of connection between Australia and China. Explore the rest of it: bit.ly/4yzcgdW
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Does this week's #MysteryObject get your stamp of approval? If you know what it is, drop your answer in the comments! We'll provide the answer on Monday.
Image of a wooden frame. In its centre is wooden rectangle. A long metal rod drills through the top of the frame and connects to the wooden rectangle. Overlay text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

ALT Image of a wooden frame. In its centre is wooden rectangle. A long metal rod drills through the top of the frame and connects to the wooden rectangle. Overlay text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object?'

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Answer: This is a winker press frame.
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Did you know the Dutch encountered Australia (twice!) 150+ years before the British? 🤯 The second encounter actually happened #OnThisDay 410 years ago, when Dutch mariner Dirk Hartog landed at Western Australia. Learn more: nma.gov.au/defining-moments/…
Cropped illustration showing the Dutch ship Eendracht leaving the port of Hoorn. Overlay text reads 'Who were the first European to encounter Australia? Hint: not a British ship'. An arrow extends from the ‘hint’ overlay text and points towards the hoisted tricolour flag on the ship.

ALT Cropped illustration showing the Dutch ship Eendracht leaving the port of Hoorn. Overlay text reads 'Who were the first European to encounter Australia? Hint: not a British ship'. An arrow extends from the ‘hint’ overlay text and points towards the hoisted tricolour flag on the ship.

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The Terracotta Warriors were not always the terracotta colour we see today. Each warrior was once painted in vibrant colours to portray their rank in the army. Terracotta Warriors: Immortality and Empire: nma.gov.au/warriors 📸: Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Museum
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These 16th century maps feature Europe's early ideas of what the Great South Land might look like, before Australia was mapped by cartographers in the 1700s. They provide a glimpse into the ancient myth of a Great South Land. Study them in more detail: nma.gov.au/explore/collectio…
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We present three objects! Can you tell us what they have in common? 🕵️ 1) A hand-painted coin by Diana Bates – one of many handmade toys from her childhood in the ‘30s and ‘40s 2) A dress submitted to a fancy-dress competition in 1931 3) An improvised soap holder from the 1930s
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It's Friday! Time for this week's #MysteryObject 🎉 This device is used to measure something, but what? If you know the answer, drop it in the comments. Answer coming Monday!
Image of a gauge with a handle on one end, and a rotary shaft on the other, consisting of three revolving cups on a rotary shaft. Overlay text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object

ALT Image of a gauge with a handle on one end, and a rotary shaft on the other, consisting of three revolving cups on a rotary shaft. Overlay text reads 'Can you guess this week's mystery object

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Answer: This is a Cup Anemometer for measuring wind run!
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Do you have a burning question for NMA conservators that you’ve always wanted answered? 🤔 Our conservators are ready to answer your questions for #AskAConservator day! Comment your questions and come back to see if one of them was answered on Wednesday 4 November! 🕺
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This piti (carrying vessel) is made from river red gum. Created by Pitjantjatjara woman Topsy Tjulyata, it depicts groups of seven footprints and one footprint. It tells a story where seven sisters evaded the pursuit of a man by escaping to the sky, where they became stars.
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