Lectures and Events

This week, on Tuesday 5th November, we welcomed Paul Bromberg to the Royal Asiatic Society. Paul Bromberg, the serving editor of the Journal of the Siam Society and a contributing editor to Arts of Asia magazine, gave a fascinating talk on Thai Silver and Nielloware, illustrated by slides of many beautiful objects. Niello is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver  and lead, and is used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal. In his lecture, Paul explored the exquisite Thai craftsmanship and design but explained how little research undertaken has been undertaken on Thai production. He examined the history from the early 19th century to the present, as well as the various forms and designs utilised.

This coming week sees a number of events at the Society. On Monday 11th November, 6.30pm, to celebrate the Annual Rustaveli Day, the Society is delighted to host the British Georgian Society for “The Anglo-Georgian Connection Series Episode 2”. In this episode, Nino Strachey will relate the story of her mother through her talk entitled, “The Bagrationi of Imereti in exile – the story of Princess Tamara Imeretinsky”. This will be followed by “The life of the industrialist, Michael Aramyants and his great-great-grandaughter’s sojourn in Tbilisi” by Alec and Katya D’Janoeff. The talks will be followed by Georgian wine and canapes. People wishing to attend should contact the British Georgian Society on info(at)britishgeorgiansociety.org.

On Tuesday 12 November, also at 6.30pm, we welcome Dr Giles Tillotson (DAG, New Delhi) to lecture on “Vision and Landscape: New Perspectives on Oriental Scenery by Thomas and William Daniell.” We look forward to hearing more about these eminent artists and how they influenced our interpretation of oriental scenery.

Finally, on Thursday 14 November, 6.30pm, Professor Michael Franklin (Swansea University) will lecture on “Phebe Gibbes, Our Calcutta Correspondent” in which he will examine the elusive life of this writer and early feminist who authored twenty-two books between 1764 and 1790.

We hope that many of you will be able to make it to at least one of the events next week, and maybe more. And if you arrive early you may be able to pop into the Reading Room to see the new display produced by our Alphawood interns, Vuthyneath Khut and Sonetra Seng, on Horace Geoffrey Quaritch Wales’ explorations in Cambodia.