THE Bodleian Library in Oxford has lent five 19th Century sketchbooks to Kiplin Hall, near Scorton, where they have been put on display alongside a Bronze Age gold torque bracelet that features in two of the drawings.

The sketchbooks are the work of the Egyptologist Sir John Gardner Wilkinson (1797-1875), a regular visitor to Kiplin Hall when it was the home of the 4th Earl and Countess of Tyrconnel.

The bracelet was recently returned to the hall by Richmond Town Council following a 50-year loan by Bridget Talbot, the last owner of the house.

Two watercolour sketches show the bracelet and the place where it was found. Other sketches indicate that two more gold torque bracelets were discovered at the same site as well as fragments of pottery. Copies of these paintings are exhibited.

Gardner Wilkinson first visited Egypt in 1821. His work then and on successive trips made him one of the leading authorities of his time on ancient Egypt and led to his knighthood in 1839.

He also made paintings and drawings during visits to Kiplin and five of his original watercolours depicting the building and its interior are on display in the exhibition, Charting Chipeling: 1,001Finds, showcasing research and discoveries made in last year’s Heritage Lottery funded archaeology project.

There is also a small collection of Roman objects found at Castle Hills, Catterick, in 1846, on loan from the British Museum.

The sketches are kept in carefully controlled conditions at the Bodleian and are available for viewing on request until October 28 when the archaeology exhibition ends.

Opening times are Sunday to Wednesday, 2-5pm (gardens and tea room open at 10am). The exhibition is included in admission to hall and gardens.