Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Art & Stage > Design & Photography

Artifacts That Reveal the True Lives of Pirates (11 Pics)

Edited By: Bhavesh B.

Add to Favorites In Favorites

Español

Font Size:

A+ A-

Pirates weren't just characters in tall tales - they were real people who left their mark on history. While Blackbeard and Anne Bonny might be household names, the actual lives of pirates were far more complex than what we see in movies.

The National Maritime Museum’s new exhibit sheds light on the actual world of piracy, exploring regions from the Caribbean to the Barbary Coast, South China Sea, and Indian Ocean. Featuring everything from weapons to cultural relics, the collection spans centuries of seafaring history, giving visitors a deeper understanding of pirates and their impact across the world.

1. Original costume for Will Turner from The Curse of the Black Pearl

The costume was made using cotton, leather, and wool garments and designed by Penny Rose in 2002.

2. A General History of the Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson, published by J. Watts, 1725

Page spread of illustration of Blackbeard the Pirate on the left - A General History of the Pyrates.

3. Bust of a Moroccan man – terracotta, by an unknown maker, about 1700 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

The man is wearing a headdress common among the Rif people of Morocco’s northeast; the maker and subject remain unidentified.

4. Compass – brass, iron, wood and other materials, by Jonathan Eade, London, about 1750

Mariner’s Compass – National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.

Related: These Pirate Mysteries Will Really Shiver Your Timbers!

5. Centrepiece commemorating the Bombardment of Algiers (silver-gilt, by Paul Storr, London, 1817–18)

The British officers in Algiers commissioned this centerpiece from the prominent London silversmith Paul Storr. They presented it to their commander, Admiral Pellew. The piece depicts the fortress at Algiers, featuring tiers of guns and scenes from the bombardment.

6. Presentation sword – steel, fish-skin, gilt wire and other materials, by Dudley, Portsmouth, 1837 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

This sword was presented to Captain Robert Gore of HMS Andromache as a thank you for his efforts in tackling piracy in the Malacca Straits during the year 1836.

7. The Bombardment of Algiers, 27 August 1816 – oil on canvas, by George Chambers, 1836 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Greenwich Hospital Collection

This painting by George Chambers depicts the Bombardment of Algiers, which is dominated by British ships.

8. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, published by Cassell, London, 1886 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

The showcase features more than just the historical pirates who ruled the high seas. It also highlights theatre, film, and fashion, emphasizing materials from early literature on piracy dating from the eighteenth century to 1980s fashion, according to the organizers. They noted that the exhibition will display nearly 200 objects, including loans from the National Archives, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and the British Film Institute (BFI).

9. Hanging depicting Ziwei Dadi – painted cotton, made in China, before 1849 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

This hanging was seized from one of Shap Ng-tsai’s pirate junks on October 20–21, 1849. It is from a shipboard shrine and depicts Ziewi Dadi, one of the Four Heavenly Emperors in Cantonese cosmology.

Related: Shocking! These Are the Rules That Pirates Had to Obey!

10. Davy Jones’s Locker – oil on canvas, by William Lionel Wyllie, 1890 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Purchased with the assistance of the Society for Nautical Research Macpherson Collection Endowment Fund.

William Lionel Wyllie’s 1890 painting imagines Davy Jones, the mythical guardian of the ocean's spirits.

11. Dummy book – ink and watercolour on paper with metal binding, by John Ryan, 1953–55 © Isabel Ryan / Estate of John Ryan

John Ryan faced quite a challenge when trying to find a publisher for Captain Pugwash. After receiving 12 rejections, he finally caught a break when The Bodley Head recognized the character's potential. In 1957, Captain Pugwash: a pirate story was published, marking the beginning of a successful series that would see over 20 more Pugwash books released in the years to come.

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Vehicles of Ground, Air & Water

This Insane Ship Could Fly! So What Happened to It?

12:13

Exploring the Fascinating History of the Flying Ship

The USS Plainview was an American ship that could fly. Literally. But what happened to it?

Baba Recommends

Museums Have Some of the Most Captivating Artifacts!

These Museum Items Give Us a Glimpse of a Fascinating Past

In these pictures, you will get to see some fascinating ancient artifacts that are well-preserved in museums.

Baba Recommends

History in Pictures – 25 Rarely Seen Images of the Past

25 Incredibly Rare Vintage Pictures You’ll Love to See

It’s time to travel back in time and enjoy some fascinating historical pictures.

Travel

Timeless Treasures: 16 Marvels from Our Ancient Past

The Wonders of Our Ancient World, Revealed in 16 Photos

These fascinating ancient artifacts continue to captivate us today. Artifacts From the Past That Continue to Amaze Us

Baba Recommends

Who Was Oppenheimer? The True Story You Need to Know

12:47

The True Story of Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb

Before you head to the theaters to watch Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’, find out the real story of the “father of the atomic bomb”.

Baba Recommends

New Year's Eve Celebration Through History

2:35

A Fascinating History of the New Year’s Eve

Did you know that New Year's hasn’t always been celebrated on January 1?

Humor

When You Want to Get Lost - Try These Signs!

These signs for public information raise far more questions than they answer.

Computers & Internet

Five of the Best Apps for Anxiety in 2026

5 of the Best Apps for Anxiety in 2026

The Mind Ease App is our best overall because it's free and caters to anxiety in various ways for different people and symptoms.

Send Comment

Related Topics: history, artifacts, artifact, Museums, pirates, history facts, museum pieces, pirate facts

Quizzes

Ink Stain Rorschach Test

With the help of the following personality test, we will help you uncover this force using the principles of one of the most famous psychological tools in the world - the Rorschach inkblot test.

13 Challenging and Fun General Knowledge Questions

We prepared a fun general knowledge test for you with 16 questions. Give yourself a few minutes, recruit a friend or girlfriend for help, get going and good luck!

Famous Dramas Film Trivia

Let’s see how well you’ve paid attention to cinema’s most unforgettable dramatic moments.