The Victorian Treasures of Cranmere


The story behind the exhibition

The link between past and present is explored in this dynamic exhibition of young artists influenced by local people living in Victorian Elmbridge.

This is a joint project between Cranmere Primary School, Elmbridge Museum and Killik and Co. that was brought to life through the desire to showcase young people’s art in a local setting.

The Process

The Year 5 students at Cranmere Primary School used items in Elmbridge Museum’s collection to learn about the lives of people living ‘upstairs’ and working ‘downstairs’ in local Victorian households. By studying historic artefacts and examining archival photographs of Victorian life, the students have compared their local environment ‘then’ and ‘now’ to create these fascinating pieces.

Seeing objects in 3 dimensions helps to bring them to life.

Some students chose to create their artwork using a variety of tangible materials. Explore their offerings by scrolling through the pages.

A butter pat created by Lottie

A butter pat created by Lottie

This item, from the kitchen in an important house, interested me because it was different to the others and very simple. For this, I used cardboard for the middle and paper on the outside. Then, I painted the sides in brown paint to look like it’s wood.


A locket made by Jaya

The locket inspired me because of the emotional past and the object’s meaning to the family.


Jaya created this locket
Megan created this locket

Megan created this locket

I decided to recreate this object as I was interested in Victorian jewellery. Victoria would have worn jewellery that were diamonds, gold and jewels.


A boot last made by Christian

I have created a boot last because this object really interested me so I decided to make a 2D design made out of cardboard. I then painted it brown so it looks like wood.


A boot last created by Christian
An example of a knife sharpener by Antoni

A knife sharpener created by Antoni

This is a knife sharpener from Victorian times. This inspired me to do something diffrent. I also did it becuse I like to be in the kichen.


Annabel created both sides of the locket

The locket inspired me because of the detail on it and how special it was to the Gill’s daughter.


Two sides of a locket made by Annabel
A brooch made by Roxy

Roxane made a brooch

I have made a shiny, dark-blue brooch with silver diamonds around the edges and letters embroidered in the middle: JN. I chose it because I had an idea of creating the diamonds with beads and sequences. I also managed to find a good blue colour and a gold stick for a pin at the back. Another reason for choosing this object was because it was the first thing that caught my eye and it looked pretty to me.


Both sides of a locket created by Matilda

I chose this because it looked beautiful and unique. To make it, I used clay. For the cross, I used many tiny diamond beads. Then I coloured it with golden paint.


Both sides of a locket created by Matilda
A butter stamp made by Jack

Jack made a butter stamp

I chose the butter stamp because it’s unique and creates a pattern in the butter.


A photo frame created by Thea

I chose the photo because it shows us how Victorians used to dress and that really intrest me. I used paint, cardboard and pencil to create my creation.


A photo frame created by Thea
Lockets made by Aysla

A locket made by Aysla

This is an almond shaped locket with a dark blonde lock of hair inside. I choose this because I really was fascinated by the hair inside and also the colours. I really enjoyed making it and I hope you enjoy it. I have also connected it with one of my friends.


Artefacts viewed in 2 dimensions

Creating 2 dimensional artwork was key to some students in their representation of what they learned.

I was inspired to paint the iron holder becease it had a very pretty detailed pattern. A trivet as painted by Maisie

The candle fascinated me as I was inspired by the twisty stem. A rushlight holder as drawn by Lenny

I chose it because I love the colours and it can be worn as a brooch or necklace. Brooch as created by Ada

I chose the gold locket with pearls in a cross because I am still a beginner at art and this artefact was simple. Also, the back story was interesting. I made this by using: paint, pastels and oil pastels. A gold locket as drawn by Abby

I chose this fascinating brooch because of its vibrant colurs and because it stands out from all the different artefacts. This object gave me a chalange because of its detail. A brooch as drawn by Oscar

This photo frame inspired me because of the sihoulette. It caught my eye. A photo frame as drawn by Claudia

Nancy created a brooch

The iron inspired me because it was unique. it was also very heavy compared to modern day. A flat iron as drawn by Shaniya

The pin inspired me because it represents the family due to their initials. A pin as created by Daisy

The hat inspired me because it looked stylish. A hat drawn by Emily

The locket inspired me because I liked the diamond jewels and how shiny it was. A locket as drawn by Tapiwanashe

I was inspired by the butter pat's because I like the shape of the design. A butter pat as painted by Rex

I decided to recreate this object because I really like Victorian artwork and the coulors they used are nice. A locket as created by Freddie

I was inspired by the scissors because they are made differently to modern ones. Goffering tongs as created by Immy

The candle inspired me because of the twisty detail and the long wick. A rushlight holder as drawn by Jake

I chose this carpet beater because I wanted to test my skills in charcoal and pastles. The carpet beater is interesting as I was curious how the Victorians got the dirt of. The carpet beater as drawn by Jasmine

I chose the flate iron because I wanted to challenge my drawing skills. The flat iron is interesting because it has some unique patterns and a mixture of colours. A flat iron as drawn by Oli

Hi, my name is Louie and this is my artwork. I was fascinated by its colours and the crystals. I also like the NJ on it. I don't know what it stands for but I like the fancy writing. I hope you like my artwork and all the other. Thank you for looking at my work. A pendant as created by Louie

I chose the flat iron because they mentioned it was a real artefact from the Victorian ERA and I wanted to test myself to see how well I would do sketching this item. It caught my eye as it was lying on a gold iron stand. A flat iron as drawn by Zak

I chose the diamond locket as it was very colourful and fancy. A pendant as drawn by William

The Process

Through two outreach learning sessions facilitated by the museum staff, students in the Ocean, Sapphire and Swallow classes were able to get up and close with original artefacts from the era.

Using these artefacts as inspiration, the students planned and created a series of stunning 2D and 3D artworks for your viewing pleasure.

Sometimes it's a matter of seeing things in all 3 dimensions

Some students chose to express their artistic output in 3 dimensional form. Hover over the images to learn more about them.

I choose this photo because it showed a lot of history from the gill family. I used carboard and pain to make this masterpeice. A silhouette by Seren

The brooch inspired me because of the detail on it which I tried to copy. A brooch made by Freddie

I chose the photo frame because I wanted to challenge my skills. the photo frame is interesting because its a shadow panting of the person. I made it out of card, clay, paint and pencil. A silhouette by Joshua

A gold locket with the cross on it. I was inspired to make since it looks cool and I know how to make it. Euan created a gold locket

Hi! My name is Finn and I made a blue saphire necklace using blue glass, silver paint and a metal chain. I was inspired by the object made of blue enamel and like the colour combination of blue and silver. A necklace charm made by Finn

Two medium sized lockets with a lock of hair. The locket of Madeline L Gill inspired me because it had a lock of hair inside. A locket made by Olivia

I chose the Brooch because it is very colourful and it looked easy to make. A brooch made by Alf

I have created an enlarged locket dedicated to Madeline Gill, who sadly died at 17. I chose this object because I have always been fascinated by silhouette paintings and I wanted to make something that you can actually wear. A locket created by Lottie

The locket inspired me because of the pearls. A locket face made by Elizabeth

This locket, which is almond shaped with a cross on top is made of a beautiful gold material. I was intrigued by this item because it still has the hair inside from all those years ago. I have created a replica made out of fabric which I then sewed together to make this interesting locket. Isla made this locket

I chose the golden pearl necklace because I wanted to challenge myself and I found it really interesting. Two sides of a locket created by Aurelia

More 2 dimensional artwork

Often viewing works through 2 dimensions leads to greater connections. Explore their offerings by scrolling through the pages.

A brooch painted by Micheal

A brooch painted by Micheal

I chosse this item as I thought it was beautiful. I also wanted to give myself a challenge so I use water colours.


A locket as drawn by Lily

I chose the gold locket whith a pearl cross as the colours fascinated me and I found the backstory was meaningfull. I used diffrent pastels to create this drawing.


A locket as drawn by Lily
Tom drew a brooch

Tom drew a blue brooch

I chose the blue brooch because I like blue and it looks cool.


A scene created by Leah

I was inspired by the enamal brooch as it was elegant. I wanted to mak my more stand out by doing it difrently by inclising the broch in the sean.


A scene painted by Leah
Poppy drew a pendant

Poppy drew a pendant

Hello my name is Poppy and recently at school in year 5 we have been making art projects to desplay. I made a golden pendant with a silver cross.


A brooch as drawn by Molly

I chose this sapphire brooch or charm to go on the necklace, because it is bold and bright. It has lots of little diamonds on the outside. I liked how the initials was curved writing. In the Victorian times, the Gill family had it as a gift.


A brooch as drawn by Molly
A rushlight holder drawn by Nayer

A rushlight as drawn by Nayer


A brooch drawn by Alfie

I was inspierd by it because I like the JN and the diamonds on the sides. It was so beautiful I could not stand it so that is why I chose it.


A brooch as drawn by Alfie
A butter pat by Torstein

A butter pat painted by Torstein

The butter pats inspired me because of the colour and shape.


This brooch was created by Adam

I chose this brooch because of its beautiful, bright colours. It gave me a challenge because of its detailed jewels. I used crayons and paint to create the effect.


This brooch was created by Adam
A butter pat painted by Aden

A butter pat as painted by Aden

I was inspired by the butter pats because it looked intriguing.


Dominic drew the brooch/pin

I chose the necklace because I like diamonds and I used coloured pencils to decorate my picture.


Dominic drew the brooch/pin
A pendant painted by Harlie

A pendant painted by Harlie

My name is Harlie Roberts and let me tell you about my art work. This is a pendant from the Victorian times, i’ve used: blue, sliver and small sprinkles of glitter.


Phoebe painted this pendant

I chose this object because it is unique but simple and I wanted it to have bright colours and dark tones.


Phoebe painted this pendant
Tom drew this locket

Tom drew this locket

A locket inspired by the locket made to commemorate Madeleine Gill.


A painting of a pendant by Thomas

I was fascinated by this art work because of it’s glimmering diamonds and rough gold surface. it’s blue enamel surface was beautiful


A pendant painted by Thomas
A gold locket painted by Alicky

A gold locket painted by Alicky

I chose this golden locket with pearls because it looked interesting with the gold. I used watercolours and charcoal to create this paining. To make it shine. I used some gold paint to make it shine.


A brooch painted by Mia

I was inspired to make this piece of artwork by the mother of the Gill family. The Gills were a very wealthy family who were around during the Victorian era. They live quite locally – Ashley Park House. Ashely Park House is now no longer there however, it was home to the Gills. We didn’t learn about the mum of the Gills which is partly why I chose to recreate her brooch. I think that she was never mentioned in public but the rest of her family is well known. This brooch is very beautiful in real life and I really tried to show that through my artwork.


A brooch painted by Mia
A hat as drawn by Amelia

A hat as drawn by Amelia

I chose the homberg hat because it looks like a modern hat but is actually from the Victorian age. It interests me by how soft it was and how small it fitted. I have used colouring pencils and charcoal to achieve the effect of the material.


Noah painted this pin

The pin inspired me because it tells us about the past in the Gill family.


Noah painted this pin

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