Four of the Objects in 'History of Cornwall in 100 Objects' is in Saltash

Cornwall's Museum Development Team has put together 100 objects in Cornwall that represent the history of the county. Inspired by the BBC's History of the World in 100 Objects; over 60 venues in Cornwall contributed to the objects represented in the county's museums, heritage sites, art galleries and historic houses that explore the county's rich history.

Saltash is home to four of these ancient artifacts. Have you seen any of the objects below and what did you think of them? What items do you think should be a part of the History of Cornwall in 100 Objects?

Edgcumbe Altar Frontal at Cotehele House

The Edgcumbe Altar Frontal at National Trust's Cotehele House is a beautiful and intricate piece of textile that was made for the Edgcumbe family at Cotehele around 15000. I was fortunate to see this piece up close as Cotehele rolled open the protective cover for me to have a close look. It is an amazing and detailed piece when you consider that it was completely hand-stitched, showing Jesus in the middle and the twelve apostles. The Edgcumbe Altar is a rare example of an altar frontal textile that survived the Reformation of the mid-16th century. 

Dock Dung at the Saltash Heritage Museum

Dock Dung at the Saltash Heritage Museum was mainly horse dung, which was much sought after by Cornish farmers and used as fertilizer in the fields around Saltash and Calstock until about 1913. Swept up with the manure on the streets were items such as beads, broken china, marbles, clay pipe ends, coins, buttons and children's toys. 

Cotehele Quay Shamrock

Cotehele Quay is home to Shamrock the last surviving barge on the river Tamar. It was built in 1899 and had a distinguished career transporting fertilizer, prospecting for tin in St Ives bay and operating as a salvage vessel in Plymouth. 

Elliott's Store on Lower Fore Street

Elliott's shop on Lower Fore Street is now a museum that gives us a taste of how shopping in Cornwall used to be. Familiar brands are exhibited in the store how they used to look in the early 19th century. Elliott's Store closed its doors in 1973 and the items became frozen in time, now open to the public and protected by the Tamar Protection Society.