The Royal Asiatic Society Collections Open Evening

On Tuesday 26 March 2019, at 6.30pm, the Royal Asiatic Society will host a Collections Open Evening. As with similar occasions in the past, the evening will feature a series of short talks about items from the collection, and should provide a great opportunity to get “up close and personal” with rarely seen books, manuscripts, archives, art works, and photographs.

We are delighted to welcome three speakers to discuss their experiences working with the Society’s collections:

• Mathilde Renauld will give a cultural overview of a nineteenth-century Shia Islamic pilgrimage scroll and describe its condition and conservation

• Laurent Cruveillier will discuss what was involved in conserving Sir Alexander Cunningham’s 1850s ink rubbing and inked squeeze of a stone inscription from Visvanatha temple in Khajuraho, India

• Amy Matthewson will share reflections on her time volunteering at the Society and researching its glass lantern slides of China, discussing their brief history and the value of these fascinating objects

As well as enjoying a presentation from each of our speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to view the objects featured in the talks, in addition to some other rarely-seen treasures from the collections. As usual, we will also welcome attendees with a reception featuring wine and light refreshments. We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a very enjoyable and stimulating occasion. The event is free and open to all, but we would be grateful if attendees could RSVP to Matty Bradley at mb@royalasiaticsociety.org.