The Mediterranean oil lamp collection at the Milwaukee Public Museum is the result of approximately 100 years of collecting with the first acquisition occurring in 1901 in the form of a donation from Elizabeth Plankinton, a prominent figure in the history of Milwaukee. Until 2001, the collection continued to grow through purchases, donations from 42 other donors, and excavations at the site of Tell Hadidi, Syria.
Dating to 1895 and depicting "Venus instructing Cupid," the Northwood Cameo Plaque is unique. Although George Woodall is considered the greatest carver of English cameo glass, John Northwood was one of the first to carve this type of glass and is known to have made only seven works on cameo glass. He sparked a period of Greco-Roman recreations on glass and revitalized British interest in Greco-Roman glass works.
Learn about the seasonal availability of edible spring plants in Wisconsin.
“Who knows the power that Saturn has over us, or Venus? But it is a vital power, rippling exquisitely through us all the time.”
- D. H. Lawrence, English Writer
