Identity, Taste and Power: Colonial Histories of Everyday Objects

What can a porcelain tea set, silver sugar spoon and mahogany table tell us about lifestyles in 18th-century Britain?

Date

Every Sunday

Time

12pm

Where

Starts at Museum of the Home reception

Price

£5 (£3.50 concession)

Choose your ticket

Collections Tours guided

Join Visitor Experience Host Marcia O’Connor for a talk exploring the colonial histories of everyday objects. Visitors are encouraged to consider relationships between the violence and injustice perpetrated by the British Empire overseas and the projection of civility and gentility that arises when taking tea ‘at home’.

This tour takes place every Sunday at 12pm. It is subject to guide availability, and may be cancelled at short notice.

“Wonderful and vital presentation [...] I'm extremely grateful for the critical lens on the history on display.”

Sam, Visitor, 2025

“Really interesting to hear not just a description of the objects, but the stories that link mundane things such as a Mahogany table, a teacup and a satirical engraving of the time.”

Verena, Visitor, 2025

“Marcia was clear and knowledgeable, holding our attention with her information, coupled with infectious passion about her subject.”

Bernard & Janine, Visitors, 2024

“Huge thanks for a very insightful, thought-provoking tour. Well-paced, encouraged focus & thought, sensitively delivered.”

Jen, Visitor, 2024

Book your tickets

Select Month

Select Day/Time

Your Selection

A hand holding up a smartphone displaying information and an image of a terraced house from 1978, with the actual display blurred in the background.

Free digital guide

Explore Museum of the Home with our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.

Discover the guide