British Museum visit
On 13 November 2007, Latin Therapists put their translation skills into practice on a field trip to the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum. The HPS group met up with colleagues from its sister organisation, the Birkbeck Neo-Latin Reading Group, and together had the opportunity to view and handle items requested from the Museum's fabulous collections, and to decipher their Latin inscriptions.
Jenny Downes and Katie Taylor examine a medal by Pisanello
The visit was hosted by Dr Katie Eagleton, Curator of Coins and Medals, who took the group on a tour of specially requested (and appropriately exotic) objects, including the body of a mermaid, an alchemically-transmuted knife blade, and the scrying mirror and magical tablets of the Elizabethan mathematician, John Dee. Afterwards, a Latin Therapy practical session took place in the Coins & Medals study room, translating inscriptions on some truly stunning works of art – the famous collection of medals cast by the most sought-after medal-maker of the Renaissance, Pisanello. The artist furnished his bronze and lead medals with elaborate allegories, portraits, and Latin inscriptions commemorating the virtues of his noble and royal patrons – completing each with his signature, Pisano Pictoris.
Nadiya Midgely and Kathleen Walker-Meikle deciphering part of the 'mystery object'
To conclude, Therapists were presented with a 'mystery object' to diagnose: a large, circular metal disc inscribed with Greek, Arabic, and Latin letters and a variety of zodiacal and angelic symbols. As a further puzzle, we found that the central disc could be removed. Suspecting that the object was probably less ancient than it appeared, we wondered whether its manufacture perhaps reflected a 19th century interest in occult objects. Discussion of this point continued, until, in the best tradition of Latin Therapy, the group repaired to a nearby pub for suitable refreshment following its labours.