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I have chosen a radio because it enables links to be made to the past, present and future in this country and across the world. This particular radio was made by a British radio manufacturer, "Roberts", whose radios are still made, in name at least. From the company's beginnings in the 1930s, quality was the byword and their radios were sold by Harrods as this model was later on. This particular model is the RMB (Roberts Mains Battery) and could be run from mains electricity or from batteries and was therefore considered to be portable, hence the handle. The usual finish was red, navy or green leathercloth, but this one is in a very limited edition of black lacquer richly decorated on every surface with Chinese figures and scenes and would have been very expensive to produce. Even the standard models sold for £28-8s-6d at a time when the average weekly wage was about £8. It is probably the only one left in existence. We British have been fascinated with China since the late 17th century and periodically use our impressions of that country in our decoration and architecture, and of course food. Every time I switch it on, I make a link to our past and the other side of the world.