With large parts of our collections inventoried, digitised, and safely stored away, it is easy to forget that not long ago all these pieces had a practical function: flags united the members of an organisation or were carried in parades and demonstrations, posters announced activities or had to convince the electorate to vote for the party, busts and paintings commemorated significant personalities and so on.

While browsing our image library several items now preserved by Liberas can be seen in their historical context. Here are some samples of flags, posters and statues before they became heritage collections.