Author: Chris Viney

Ink is thicker than water

Using the power of wind to bring water to Wiltshire. This Gem is a series of designs which were drawn...

An explosive business

These tools of war enabled centuries of explosive bloodshed. This Gem is an adjustable copper measure for gunpowder and shot....

Up to snuff

A Pandora’s box that contained toxic tobacco. This Gem is a miller’s snuff-box, inlaid with a beautiful and intricate windmill...

Losing your marbles

An insight into a centuries-old childhood tradition. These marbles have been produced using the power of water. The way they are...

Rags to riches

Turning your shirts into books. This Gem is a picture that tells a story of its own origin: a sketch...

Artist, soldier, criminal, monk

This sketch was drawn by the eccentric and enigmatic Karl Wood, only two years before he was sent to prison....

Gems of the Archive: Tilting at Windmills

On my first day at the Mills Archive, my preconceived notions of quaint Dutch windmills were quickly blown away and...

Tilting at windmills

“Those over there are not giants but windmills.” You’ve probably heard the common phrase ’tilting at windmills’, which, as the...

Gems of the Archive: Of Camels and Dragons

After being inspired by Dutch millwrighting last week, I was intrigued to explore how other cultures have developed and used...

Feeding the nation

This flour was Hitler’s secret weapon. This Gem is a photograph of two flour bags, which were produced under Government...

Catgerories