Guess its purpose A SMALL MUSEUM OF BIG SURPRISES
What on earth
was this used for?
1,000 real objects. 20 interactive stories.
Look closely, make a guess, then follow the story to its source.
Today’s cabinet DAILY DISCOVERYMuseum photography from open collections
Take a guess first
What do these animal heads and fifty-eight holes make?
About 1814–1805 BCE · Ancient Egypt · Thebes
What do you think it was used for?
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THE COLLECTION
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1000 objects · 20 featured stories
Guess its purpose 
View object Collection record · Objects & craft1893–1914
Tea Set with Chinese Landscapes
Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)
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View object Collection record · Objects & craftc. 350–200 BCE
The Cleveland Apollo: Apollo Sauroktonos (Lizard-Slayer) or Apollo the Python-Slayer
Greece, Athens
Guess its purpose Featured story · Everyday wonders18th century
A jug full of holes. How do you take a drink?
England · Liverpool
View object Collection record · Dress & textiles1834–48
Royal Round Tent Made for Muhammad Shah
Iran, Rasht, Qajar period (1779-1925)
View object Collection record · Nature & imaginationc. 1575
Armor for Man and Horse with Völs-Colonna Arms
North Italy, 16th century
View object Collection record · Dress & textiles400s CE
Buckle with Animal-Shaped Thorn and Belt Plate
Sarmato-Gothic, Migration period, 5th century
Guess its purpose Featured story · Small worlds18th century · Edo period
Why make this octopus less than four centimeters tall?
Japan
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View object Collection record · Objects & craftc. 1780–95
Desk and Bookcase
America, Rhode Island, Newport, 18th century
View object Collection record · Objects & craft1875–1900
Kamānche (incomplete)
Northern Iran (Caucasian, maybe Azerbaijan, or Kashmir)
Guess its purpose Featured story · Time & mechanicsAbout 1598
No batteries, no gears—yet it helped set clocks
Germany · Nuremberg
View object Collection record · Objects & craft1736–95
Wrist Rest
China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)
View object Collection record · Everyday wonders1736–95
Carved Lacquer Scroll Box
China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)
View object Collection record · Objects & craftc. 1000–900 BCE
Coffin of Bakenmut
Egypt, Thebes, Third Intermediate (1069–715 BCE), Dynasties 21–22
Guess its purpose Featured story · Everyday wondersAbout 1870
A pink bottle with two surprises beneath its surface
France · Paris
View object Collection record · Objects & craftc. 1330–50
Set of Three Panels from a Casket with Scenes from Courtly Romances
France, Lorraine?, Gothic period, 14th century
View object Collection record · Small worldsc. 1460–1500; cameo: c. 1250–1300
Pendant Triptych with an Onyx Cameo of the Nativity
Pendant: France, Paris or Tours; Cameo: Italy, 13th-15th century
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Guess its purpose Featured story · Nature & imaginationAbout 1961–1878 BCE
So charming—why did someone need to restrain it?
Ancient Egypt · Meir
View object Collection record · Everyday wondersc. 1540–1296 BCE
Caryatid Mirror
Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18
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View object Collection record · Objects & craftc. 1391–1353 BCE
Hedgehog
Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE)
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A little curiosity. A little care.
Strange things. Real stories.
Every object leads back to a real museum record. Featured stories invite you to guess its purpose; collection records bring together photographs, concise facts and the museum’s own description. Curiosity deserves a reliable source.
Meet the cabinet