Unfortunately, we can’t actually go to museums in person right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some of their objects online.
And this little experiment turned out to be a lot of fun.
This tweet from the Yorkshire Museum in England challenged museum curators to share their creepiest objects on Twitter for everyone to enjoy.
MUSEUMS ASSEMBLE! It's time for #CURATORBATTLE! 💥
Today's theme, chosen by you, is #CreepiestObject!
We're kicking things off with this 3rd/4th century hair bun from the burial of a #Roman lady, still with the jet pins in place…
CAN YOU BEAT IT? 💥 pic.twitter.com/ntPiXDuM6v
— Yorkshire Museum (@YorkshireMuseum) April 17, 2020
And this epic curator battle turned out to be a lot of fun!
Let’s see what curators from other museums picked out of their collections to give us the creeps.
1. Anyone care for some teeth?
I’ll pass on these, thanks.
we see your creepy hair bun and raise you these gold-pegged teeth from pre-colonial Philippines ? https://t.co/5PJ27eTHIY pic.twitter.com/BBjlXdDPdj
— Ayala Museum (@ayalamuseum) April 20, 2020
2. Doesn’t look like any mermaid I’ve ever seen.
That’s some nightmare fuel right there.
Our #CreepiestObject has to be this ‘mermaid’… ???♀️ #CURATORBATTLE #TroublingTaxidermy pic.twitter.com/GMSosyuqIX
— Natural Sciences NMS (@NatSciNMS) April 17, 2020
3. Crabs playing ards.
From the Victorian era.
STEP ASIDE ALL.
These are hand-made models of figures playing cards and of gold miners hauling gold nuggets to the surface. BUT the figures are made from crab’s legs and claws… Typical Victorians, they loved weird/creepy stuff. #CreepiestObject pic.twitter.com/A5NHiPGnVh
— York Castle Museum (@YorkCastle) April 17, 2020
4. This doll must be cursed.
There’s no question about it.
The #CreepiestObject in the archives of the museum I volunteer at is definitely this Victorian curse doll. Found in the brickwork of a Hereford house, the note curses a ‘Mary Ann’ to ‘never rest nor eat nor sleep’ ?
(Copyright Herefordshire Council https://t.co/ExJHL5yt9x) https://t.co/4XkT0KmM8O pic.twitter.com/3aH0SeRYI2
— Emilia Franklin? (@emilia_osteo) April 17, 2020
5. Peas in a terrifying pod.
This will haunt your dreams.
@RedHeadedAli how can we ignore such a call to arms?
This particular item has caused a few nightmares for our followers this week.
Our #CreepiestObject is…this pincushion! Complete with tiny children’s heads. You’re welcome, Twitter.#CURATORBATTLE pic.twitter.com/0YdmCE5dYD
— Norwich Castle (@NorwichCastle) April 17, 2020
6. Sooooo weird.
And downright creepy.
Just had a thought. Not our object but we did once borrow a silver snuffbox from @MuseumsUniStA that is said to contain the pubic hair of one of George IV’s mistresses.
Yes that’s right a pubic hair snuffbox.#CURATORBATTLE #creepiestobject pic.twitter.com/ePGY8eJ22R
— Fairfax House (@fairfax_house) April 17, 2020
7. Unidentified object.
It’s in a jar, so you know it’s scary.
Does “something in a jar” strike your fancy? #CreepiestObject pic.twitter.com/grVWP5hRLw
— Nova Scotia Museum (@NS_Museum) April 17, 2020
8. For breaking evil spells.
Because you just never know…
Sheep’s heart stuck with pins and nails and strung on a loop of cord. Made in South Devon, circa 1911, “for breaking evil spells”, @Pitt_Rivers collections #CreepiestObject #CuratorBattle pic.twitter.com/z5vdCFCU4S
— Dan Hicks (@profdanhicks) April 17, 2020
9. Let’s get witchy.
Get out the pigeon heart…
Nice. We have a pigeon heart stuck with pins for punishing a witch…#CreepiestObject #CuratorBattle pic.twitter.com/CUOdNlB3eN
— SMT Collections Team (@SMT_Collections) April 17, 2020
10. IT MOVES ON ITS OWN.
I wouldn’t allow this thing in my house. Would you?
Bringin’ our A-game for this #CURATORBATTLE! What is it? Just a CURSED CHILDREN’S TOY that we found inside the walls of a 155-year-old mansion. We call it “Wheelie” – and it MOVES ON ITS OWN: Staff put it in one place and find it in another spot later on…. #Creepiestobject pic.twitter.com/FQzMzacr8a
— PEI Museum (@PEIMuseum) April 17, 2020
11. That is disturbing.
And it looks very painful.
Our #CURATORBATTLE entry from @NAM_London – frost bitten fingertips anyone? https://t.co/PGD61mG5rz pic.twitter.com/KcWgnGwEdP
— Kirsty Parsons (@museum_owl) April 17, 2020
12. The grin of the executioner.
Scary stuff…sleep tight…
Turn the creep up to ? and check out this iron mask that was exhibited in the @TowerOfLondon as an Executioner’s Mask. However, due to its grotesque appearance, we think it’s more likely part of an elaborate scold’s bridle – an iron muzzle designed for public humiliation ? pic.twitter.com/1nG4mMZRex
— Royal Armouries (@Royal_Armouries) April 17, 2020
Those objects are really creepy. And pretty cool!
Now we want to hear from all of you out there.
What’s the weirdest/creepiest thing you’ve ever seen in a museum before?
Please share with us in the comments!