
Essential Information
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In 2024 the National Maritime Museum introduced a new ‘Object in Focus’ programme, featuring a changing display of objects picked from the collection by members of the Museum’s Visitor and Sales team.
The idea is to create small displays of objects that are not often seen and provide a platform for our passionate and knowledgeable Visitor and Sales Assistants to share these stories with visitors.
At least one of our free Gallery Favourite talks each day is related to one of the objects in these displays. The content of these talks depends on the staff giving them.
Come and see the objects in the Voyagers gallery at the National Maritime Museum and explore our talks and tours programme.
Items currently on display

Domino box
By an unknown maker, 1805–14
A French prisoner of war made this games box, consisting of a dominoes set and cribbage board, while captive in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. To alleviate boredom, prisoners used improvised tools to make detailed ship models, mechanical toys, trinket boxes and games sets using animal bones, paper, wood, hair and straw.
This box, made from wood and bone, is decorated with a memorial to Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, who was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The box contains 46 dominoes and three dice.

Dog collar
Made by Joseph Heriot
Come along to see this collar, which is thought to have been worn by a dog belonging to Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson.
Nelson was proud of his achievement at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 and appears to have named his dog 'Nileus' after his famous victory.