Northampton Museums & Art Gallery
Acquisition and Disposal Policy
September 2012
Museum:
Northampton Museums
Governing Body:
Northampton Borough Council
Date approved by governing body:
September 2012
Date at which policy due for review: no later than February 2013
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Contents
page
1.
National Shoe Collection (working name)
3
2.
Archaeology
8
3.
Art
10
4.
Ethnography
13
5.
Geology
14
6.
Natural History
15
7.
Social History
16
8.
Leathercraft
17
9.
Military
18
10.
Education
19
11.
Collecting policies of other museums
20
12.
Policy review procedure
21
13.
Acquisitions not covered by the policy
21
14.
Acquisition procedures
21
15.
Spoliation
23
16.
Repatriation and Restitution
23
17.
Management of Archives
23
18.
Disposal procedures
23
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1.
National Shoe Collection (working name)
The boot and shoe collection of shoes and related objects from the industry
(The “National” Shoe Collection) is recognised by MLA Council as a
Designated Collection of national and international importance. The Shoe
Collection is the largest collection of shoes and related shoe industry objects
in the world. The Collection reflects both the industry of this country as well
representation from abroad.
The Collection has been in existence since at least 1873, and has grown to
encompass all types of objects connected with shoes and shoemaking. Its
strength is in the wide range of objects included in the collection and in the
number of objects featured.
The collection aims to include items connected with the designing, making,
wearing and selling of shoes.
It is our aim to feature the range of shoes available to rich and poor
concentrating on the period since 1600. We collect the ordinary as well as
the exceptional, the badly made as well as superb craftsmanship.
Our aim is to develop the collection as a national ‘centre of excellence’ to
increase physical and intellectual access to the collection and to build the
reputation of the collection as the natural place where expertise in the field
may be sought.
We collect to enhance and improve the collection and all additions to the
collection must fulfil this requirement.
Our collecting policy follows the principle that the collection is the foremost
national collection in the UK and consequently it is comprehensive in scope
and national in coverage. However, after more than 135 years, the collection
has certain strengths and weaknesses, an analysis of which gives a
reasonably detailed account of the range of items that need to be acquired in
order to develop and improve the collection.
1.1 Nature of Current Collection
The Shoe Collection began purely as a collection of footwear, however, over
the years this has developed into a collection covering the whole of the
footwear industry worldwide. In terms of collecting, this is best summarised
as:
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The full range of material evidence and associated information of the
development, growth, operation and achievements of the Boot and Shoe
manufacturing industry of:
a. United Kingdom
b. Western Europe
c . Rest of the World
(in descending order of priority)
The “National” Shoe Collection includes a group of pictures in all media, by
British and European artists, relating to the boot and shoe industry.
There is a small decorative art collection of shoe-shaped objects and
shoemaking figures.
The whole of The Shoe Collection represents over 50,000 objects that can be
broken down into the following subdivisions:
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Footwear
Machinery
Tools
Lasts
Patterns and components
Material associated with the selling of shoes
Polish, shoe trees and other items used in the care of shoes, including
shoe repairing.
Factory furniture and fittings
Overshoes, spats, gaiters, ice skates and other items worn with shoes
(excluding hosiery)
Objects shaped like shoes.
Archival material including catalogues, photographs and trade
magazines.
Prints and paintings of shoes and shoemakers.
1.2 Collecting Priorities
There are some gaps in the collection and we will look to improve our
collections of material relating to the shoe industry particularly those firms that
are still in existence.
We also need to collect material relating to the retail trade.
We aim to collect contemporary items and as a consequence we collect
significant items of current fashion and production, including shoes from
notable designers and fashion brands.
We collect shoes worn by notable persons such as the footwear of public
figures or people who have been present at, or associated with, key historical
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events. When collecting in this area we ensure that shoes connected to a
person of local significance outside of Northamptonshire, are only acquired
after consultation with the relevant museum service.
The collection consists of:
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Footwear
Machinery
Tools
Lasts
Patterns and components
Material associated with the selling of shoes
Polish, shoe trees and other items used in the care of shoes, including
shoe repairing.
Factory furniture and fittings
Overshoes, spats, gaiters, ice skates and other items worn with shoes
(excluding hosiery)
Objects shaped like shoes.
Archival material including catalogues, photographs and trade
magazines.
Prints and paintings of shoes and shoemakers.
Our collecting priorities for footwear are –
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British shoemaking
Western European and other fashion shoes in the European tradition
(including shoes made in the USA)
Shoes from other cultures.
We concentrate on the East Midlands area (Northamptonshire and
Leicestershire) when collecting industrial material because the machinery
from the region gives a broad overview of shoe manufacturing machinery
across the UK. When collecting tools and machinery we only collect items
with a provenance. While we need to continue collecting machines made
after 1940, there is no space at present to store them, and we will not be able
to collect any more large machines at present. Business and personal
records will not be included in this collection, but will be passed to the
appropriate archive service and we will be developing a virtual catalogue of
archives relating to the boot and shoe industry.
We will not collect material that would be better kept in the area where it was
made or used e.g. items relating to a local person of significance in their own
locality unless we consider the item to be a key example of the national
picture of the industry.
There are over 12,000 shoes in the collection and in total there are about
50,000 objects. In size these can range from a very large machine weighing
several tonnes to a tiny miniature shoe only 15 mm long.
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No items in poor condition will be added to the collection (except significant
concealed shoes and rare early items).
1.3 Specific Criteria
Our resources, and space, are prioritised to focus on areas of the collection
that need developing. We will not accept any items that are already well
represented within the collection unless there are very good reasons for doing
so. These items are:
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Women’s white or black satin shoes dating from 1825 to 1855.
Women’s black leather button or lace boots dating from 1890 to 1920
Women’s stiletto heeled shoes with ‘winkle picker’ toes dating from
1955-1965.
Riding boots.
Military boots unless they are a type not already represented.
Men’s Oxford and Derby plain and brogued shoes from 1900 onwards
unless firmly dated and with some history.
Children’s clogs.
Infant’s ankle strap shoes unless early in date or a type not already
represented.
Ice skates and skating boots made before 1920.
Tools other than those made before 1800.
All machinery.
Any archival material or books if 2 copies of the item in good condition
are already in the collection.
All material relating to tanning and leather.
Reasons why any of the above may be accepted include:
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They were made by a maker not represented in the collection.
They were designed by a designer not represented in the collection.
They belonged to a famous or significant person.
They have a particularly interesting story attached to them.
Some aspects of these groups are very well represented but there are gaps in
other areas that could be filled if the chance arises. These need to be
checked before they are accepted:
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19th century concealed shoes.
Pattens.
Children’s boots 1890-1920.
Doc Martens.
Men’s and women’s platform soled shoes of the 1970s.
Shoe boxes (without shoes) unless made before 1900.
Bench tools.
Shoes from other cultures e.g. Chinese bound foot shoes.
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1.4
Collecting Boundaries
As the collection is regarded as 'national' the geographical boundaries are
unlimited but are prioritised as set out in the criteria (2.3) above.
The same criterion exists regarding date range. As the collection is 'national'
items from all periods will be considered.
1.5 Collecting Restrictions
Collecting will be restricted to those items identified as meeting the criteria set
out in section 1.2 Collecting priorities. Due to storage limitations shoe
machinery will no longer be accepted, other than in exceptional
circumstances.
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2. Archaeology Collection
2.1 Existing collections.
For over a century, Northampton Museums has collected archaeological
material.
The majority of archaeological material now coming to light in the county is
the product of contract excavations in advance of development, working
under the aegis of Northamptonshire Heritage or other independent field
units. Where appropriate their finds are usually passed to the Northampton
Museums Service.
2.1.1 Nature of Current Collection
Bronze Age pottery, Iron Age finds from Hunsbury, Roman finds from
Duston and Irchester, pottery, weapons and jewellery from Anglo-Saxon
cemeteries and many other objects were first collected in the 19th century.
This set the scene for collecting and through excavations and fieldwork this
has carried on ever since.
There is also a Numismatic Collection (outlined below) and an Ancient
Egyptian Collection. The latter consists of approximately 250 items from
prehistory to the Ptolemaic period.
2.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects
or themes for collecting
The acceptance of formally excavated material will be the main way in which
the museum expands its archaeological collections.
Other finds, from gardening, metal detecting and field walking within the
Borough, will also be accepted.
The acquisition of significant small finds from the county will still be
considered in exceptional circumstances in consultation with the relevant
Portfolio Holder. In the event of an emergency the Collections & Information
Access Officer, in consultation with relevant Portfolio Holder, has the authority
to decide whether to collect the item(s).
It is not envisaged that the Ancient Egyptian Collection will not be augmented
by either loans or purchases, but donations of significant local association will
be considered.
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2.3
Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
Archaeological items will only be collected from the Borough of Northampton.
Items may be collected from Northamptonshire only if prior written
agreements have been made.
Chronologically, the archaeological collecting range covers prehistory to 1603
with some later material from excavations.
2.4
Limitations on collecting
Due to storage limitations and financial constraints archaeological material
from outside Northampton Borough Council boundaries will only be accepted
where there has been a prior written agreement.
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3. Art Collection
3.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting.
Northampton Museums collects beyond the purely local. Although
acquisition of good quality specimens with a local connection by artist, maker,
subject or use, has always been the policy in Northampton, there has also
been a policy of collecting beyond the local area in order to develop a
collection that represents a broad range of types and genres from a national
and international perspective.
3.1.1 Fine Art The greater part of the fine art collection consists of British
easel paintings and works on paper, from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The collection's greatest strength lies in landscapes, topographical works and,
to a lesser extent, portraits.
The non-British pictures include an important group of 15th to 18th century
Italian paintings - works of high quality by secondary masters, particularly
from the Venetian School, most of which were consciously collected between
1967 and 1987 as a result of a former policy which sought to concentrate
purchases in this one area of the collection.
At present there are approximately 2,700 items in the Art Collection which fall
into the following categories:
Watercolours
Drawings
Prints (contemporary)
Mixed Media (excluding drawings)
Sculpture
3.1.2 Decorative Art - Nature of the Current Collection
This encompasses in the main, ceramics, glassware and metalware. The
great areas of strength are the fine collections of British and Oriental ceramics
given earlier this century by five private collectors.
There are approximately 4,100 items in the decorative art collection
(excluding furniture):
Ceramics – British (and some Continental and North African)
Glass – British (and some Irish)
Metalwork
Enamels
Oriental Collection – ceramics, bronzes and miscellaneous)
3.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
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3.2.1 Fine Art
The modern and contemporary collection, consisting of paintings, prints,
drawings and sculpture of all types is of a high standard, although gaps are
numerous. As the museum is no longer a collecting member of the
Contemporary Art Society other means of acquiring quality works will be
considered. Acquisitions of works by local artists and of local subjects will
also be considered to augment the existing collections.
Although English portraiture is represented in the collection, 17th and 18th
century local material is poorly represented. The museum will accept quality
works from this period.
The museum will accept quality genre and narrative paintings if they are of
local significance.
The collection will also benefit from acquiring works from the Modern British
School.
3.2.2 Decorative Art
The ceramics collection is particularly fine and comprehensive with Plymouth
porcelain being the only major factory not represented. The aim therefore is
to fill this gap and Plymouth porcelain will be actively sought.
Miscellaneous, non-tableware ceramics are under-represented in the
collection, especially figures and decorative pieces. Therefore any of these
items if offered by donation would be considered.
The studio ceramic collection consists of a quality core, but this requires
limited expansion, especially from the 1920s to 1970s. For the purposes of
this policy four examples will be actively sought; these will be from the
following or similar artists:
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Bernard Leach
Michael Cardew
Lucie Rie
Hans Coper
Alison Britton
Ruth Duckworth
Jill Crowley
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3.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
3.3.1 Fine Art
There are no specific time or geographic boundaries when acquiring fine art
collections
3.3.2 Decorative Art
There are no specific time or geographic boundaries when acquiring
decorative art collections
3.4 Limitations on collecting
3.4.1 Fine Art
Due to the storage and conservation requirements of the fine art collection
items will only be acquired after careful consideration.
Due to financial limitations, we will be seeking support from external funding
towards the purchase of works. Monies from the Arts Reserve fund may be
used to purchase less costly works of art.
3.4.2 Decorative Art
There are no defined limitations on collecting for decorative art except due to
storage limitations furniture will only be collected in a social history context
and is therefore dealt with separately.
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4.
Ethnography
4.1 Existing collections.
A collection of ethnographic material is held in store and on display at
Abington Museum. Many objects were purchased many years ago or as the
result of local collecting as well as some casual donations. The collections
reflect the constantly changing cultural and religious beliefs of the many
diverse communities in Northampton.
No further items will be added to this collection, unless an item with important
and substantial local or cultural associations was to be offered by gift.
Museum Ethnographer group guidelines will be adhered to in caring for this
collection.
4.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
No further items will be added to this collection, unless an item with important
and substantial local or cultural associations was offered by gift. Museum
Ethnographer group guidelines are adhered to in caring for this collection.
4.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
There are no restrictions of time or geography in relation to these collections.
4.4 Limitations on collecting
No further items will be added to this collection, unless an item with important
and substantial local or cultural associations were to be offered by gift.
Museum Ethnographer group guidelines will be adhered to in caring for this
collection.
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5.
Geology
5.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting
Geological items were given to the Museum upon its foundation in the 1860s.
However, two names stand out as being the main collectors from whom
specimens were obtained: Spencer Compton (Lord Northampton) and Beeby
Thompson. Both were outstanding local geologists.
The collection consists of about 40,000 items of which 75% are
Northamptonshire Jurassic finds acquired mainly from Compton and
Thompson. The remaining 25% consists of fossils from outside the county,
and a worldwide mineral collection.
The collection is one of the most important in the Midlands containing over
120 type and figured specimens, most of which were local finds.
5.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
Important donations and bequests will be considered only in exceptional
circumstances.
5.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
Important donations and bequests will be considered only in exceptional
circumstances.
5.4 Limitations on collecting
At present there is no qualified geological curator on the staff.
No collecting will be considered until such time as a suitably qualified
museum professional is appointed to the staff.
Important donations and bequests will be considered only in exceptional
circumstances.
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6.
Natural History
6.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting
When Abington Manor was given to the town of Northampton in the 1890s for
use as a museum, the Council proceeded to acquire items to fill the
unfurnished rooms. One category of material purchased was mounted
natural history specimens, and this subsequently led to a number of such
privately assembled collections being presented to the museum.
The small Natural History Collection that remains consists of a few mounted
specimens, a mollusca collection, and small collections of birds’ eggs and
forestry seeds. The mollusca collection has about 3,200 items.
The herbarium collection has been passed to the Northamptonshire Natural
History Society so that regional significance can be properly used along with
the other herbarium collections the society holds.
6.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
No further collecting will take place other than in exceptional circumstances.
6.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
No further collecting will take place other than in exceptional circumstances.
6.4 Limitations on collecting
No collecting will be considered until such time as a suitably qualified
museum professional is appointed to the staff.
No further collecting will take place other than in exceptional circumstances.
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7.
Social History
7.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting
In general, the Social History Department covers all historical material post
1600 to the present that is not the responsibility of another department - it
covers community life including civic affairs, working life, and the full range of
personal and domestic life material.
7.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
Consideration will be given to all items relating to the community, domestic
and personal life post 1600, but collecting will focus particularly on material
from the 1940’s onwards especially contemporary and near contemporary
material relating to the current expansion of the town, and the expansion of
the 1960’s and 1970’s.
7.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
The Collecting Area of Social History is defined as the area of the district
administered by Northampton Borough Council, and the historic hinterland of
Northampton.
Future acquisitions will be restricted to items made or used within the area of
Greater Northampton, defined above. In exceptional circumstances,
however, the Senior Museum Professional will be empowered to authorise the
collection of items from outside the normal collecting area in consultation with
the Governing Body.
The social history collections range, in date, from 1603 to the present day, but
in practice, with a few exceptions, most material falls within the period 18501940.
Future collecting needs to be more systematic and selective than in the past,
and this will be particularly true for the period 1940 to the present day, where
in theory the material is widely available. The general aim will be to fill gaps
and create a more comprehensive record of life in and around Northampton.
Various methods and strategies will be employed to do this, for contemporary
material this will be linked to audience development initiatives.
7.4 Limitations on collecting
Due to the vast range of the subject area restrictions on collecting activities
have to be imposed. This is further exacerbated by limited storage space.
This being the case collecting will focus on material from the 1940’s onwards
particularly contemporary and near contemporary material relating to the
current expansion of the town, and the expansion of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
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8. Leathercraft
8.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting
At the time of adoption of this collecting policy, Northampton Borough Council
holds the Leathercraft Collection on loan from the Museum of Leathercraft, an
independent charitable trust established in 1951.
It is the responsibility of the Museum of Leathercraft to add to the collection in
consultation with the staff responsible for the storage and curation of the
collection, taking into account the resources available.
8.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
At the time of adoption of this collecting policy, Northampton Borough Council
holds the Leathercraft Collection on loan from the Museum of Leathercraft, an
independent charitable trust established in 1951.
It is the responsibility of the Museum of Leathercraft to add to the collection in
consultation with the staff responsible for the storage and curation of the
collection, taking into account the resources available.
8.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
It is the responsibility of the Museum of Leathercraft to add to the collection in
consultation with the staff responsible for the storage and curation of the
collection, taking into account the resources available.
8.4 Limitations on collecting
It is the responsibility of the Museum of Leathercraft to add to the collection in
consultation with the staff responsible for the storage and curation of the
collection, taking into account the resources available.
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9. Military
9.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting
9.1.1 Coins and Medals
The Archaeology Department incorporates a Numismatic Collection of about
12,000 items, principally locally found Roman, English Medieval and later
coins and tokens. Particular strengths are the coins from Northampton Mint,
and a large number of Northamptonshire tokens and checks.
The Social History Department has a collection of approximately 800 medals
relating to local people, clubs or societies.
9.1.2 Northamptonshire Regiment and Yeomanry
Northampton Borough Council is the sole trustee for the Northamptonshire
Regimental Museum and Northamptonshire Yeomanry Regimental Museum
Trust. The collecting for these collections will follow the inherent themes for
regimental collections – reflecting both the military and civilian aspects of the
Regiments impact.
9.2 Criteria governing future collecting policy, including the subjects or
themes for collecting
9.2.1 Coins and Medal - Collecting Priorities
Items will only be collected if, as in the case of archaeology, they are found
within Northampton Borough or come from Northampton Mint.
Northamptonshire tokens and checks will still be collected. For medals, items
with a Northamptonshire association will continue to be considered.
The acquisition of significant coins and medals from the county will still be
considered in exceptional circumstances in consultation with the relevant
Portfolio Holder. In the event of an emergency the Senior Museum
Professional, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, has the
authority to decide whether to collect the item(s).
9.2.2 Regimental Collections
The collecting for these collections will follow the inherent themes for
regimental collections – reflecting both the military and civilian aspects of the
Regiment’s impact. The museum will take advantage of possibilities that
arise of collecting more contemporary material to reflect what happened to
the Northamptonshire Regiment and Yeomanry when it disbanded – material
to reflect the new Anglia regiment and the modern army.
9.3 Period of time and/or geographical area to which collecting relates
9.3.1 Coins & Medals - Collecting Boundaries
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Items will only be collected if, as in the case of archaeology, they are found
within Northampton Borough or come from Northampton Mint.
Northamptonshire tokens and checks will still be collected. For medals, items
with a Northamptonshire association will continue to be considered.
9.3.2 Regimental collections
The collections are bounded by association with the Northamptonshire
Regiment and Yeomanry.
9.4 Limitations on collecting
9.4.1 Coins & Medals
The storage of coins and medals should not, normally, pose many problems,
however, items offered in poor condition may have to be subject to a
conservation report before acceptance can take place.
9.4.2 Regimental Collections
The collections are bounded by association with the Northamptonshire
Regiment and Yeomanry, and are restricted to items that constitute gaps in
the collection, and can be fitted within the limited storage space at Abington
Museum.
10.
Education
10.1 Existing collections, including the subjects or themes for collecting
The museum service holds a collection of items used for handling and other
educational purposes. The criteria for accepting items into the education
collection are separate from those outlined in this policy.
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11. Collecting policies of other museums
The museum will take account of the collecting policies of other museums
and other organisations collecting in the same or related areas or subject
fields. It will consult with these organisations where conflicts of interest may
arise or to define areas of specialisms, in order to avoid unnecessary
duplication and waste of resources.
For all collections except The “National” Shoe Collection, we make specific
referecne to the following museums:
Kettering Museum
Leicestershire Museums
Leicester County Museums Service
Bedford Museum
Rugby Museum & Art Gallery
Warwickshire Museums Service
The Designated Collection is often offered material relating from sources
nationally and internationally. Where we believe there may be a shared
interest in an item we will consult with the appropriate local museum.
In keeping with our role as the lead museum for footwear, we aim to benefit
other museums by collecting as widely as possible and ensuring that the
whole collection is made accessible to the wider museum community and
their audiences.
Also within the sphere of The “National” Shoe Collection, the Museum
complements the collecting activities of the following UK museums:
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V&A
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The Science Museum
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The Cordwainers Collection
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Museum of Fashion, Bath
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Clarks Museum
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Norwich Museum Service
And international museums:
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Bata Shoe Museum, Canada – international loan agreement
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Dutch Shoe & Leather Museum - international loan agreement
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SONS Museum, Belgium - international loan agreement
and will consult with this museum as necessary on specific items.
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12. Policy review procedure
The collecting policy plays an important role in setting out an agreed
framework and set of priorities for Northampton Borough Council Members
and museum officers to work within. Museums have a distinct role in
preserving and displaying material evidence of past times and human
achievement, and an active, ongoing policy of collecting is essential if this role
is to be properly carried out.
In adopting this Policy, the Council recognises that museum officers work
within established guidelines. The collecting policy also highlights certain
strengths and weaknesses in the museum's collections. However, as
priorities do change the document should be seen as a current statement that
is reviewed at least once every five years and monitored. The next review is
due no later than 2009 when the policy should be re-examined and a revised
statement considered by the Council.
The collecting policy is a public document and as such should be publicised
and made available to any interested individuals or organisations.
The Acquisition and Disposal Policy will be published and reviewed from time
to time, at least once every five years. The date when the policy is next due
for review is noted above.
MLA will be notified of any changes to the Acquisition and Disposal Policy,
and the implications of any such changes for the future of existing collections.
13. Acquisitions not covered by the policy
Acquisitions outside the current stated policy will only be made in very
exceptional circumstances, and then only after proper consideration by the
governing body of the museum itself, having regard to the interests of other
museums.
14. Acquisition procedures
a. The museum will exercise due diligence and make every effort not to
acquire, whether by purchase, gift, bequest or exchange, any object or
specimen unless the governing body or responsible officer is satisfied that
the museum can acquire a valid title to the item in question.
b. In particular, the museum will not acquire any object or specimen unless it
is satisfied that the object or specimen has not been acquired in, or
exported from, its country of origin (or any intermediate country in which it
may have been legally owned) in violation of that country’s laws. (For the
purposes of this paragraph `country of origin’ includes the United Kingdom).
c. In accordance with the provisions of the UNESCO 1970 Convention on
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the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and
Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which the UK ratified with effect
from November 1 2002, and the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act
2003, the museum will reject any items that have been illicitly traded. The
governing body will be guided by the national guidance on the responsible
acquisition of cultural property issued by the Department for Culture, Media
and Sport in 2005.
d. So far as biological and geological material is concerned, the museum will
not acquire by any direct or indirect means any specimen that has been
collected, sold or otherwise transferred in contravention of any national or
international wildlife protection or natural history conservation law or treaty
of the United Kingdom or any other country, except with the express
consent of an appropriate outside authority.
e. The museum will not acquire archaeological antiquities (including
excavated ceramics) in any case where the governing body or responsible
officer has any suspicion that the circumstances of their recovery involved a
failure to follow the appropriate legal procedures.
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales the procedures include reporting
finds to the landowner or occupier of the land and to the proper authorities
in the case of possible treasure as defined by the Treasure Act 1996.
f. Any exceptions to the above clauses 8a, 8b, 8c, or 8e will only be because
the museum is either:
acting as an externally approved repository of last resort for material of
local (UK) origin; or
acquiring an item of minor importance that lacks secure ownership
history but in the best judgement of experts in the field concerned has
not been illicitly traded; or
acting with the permission of authorities with the requisite jurisdiction in
the country of origin; or
in possession of reliable documentary evidence that the item was
exported from its country of origin before 1970.
In these cases the museum will be open and transparent in the way it
makes decisions and will act only with the express consent of an
appropriate outside authority.
g. As the museum holds or intends to acquire human remains from any
period, it will follow the procedures in the “Guidance for the care of human
remains in museums” issued by DCMS in 2005.
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15. Spoliation
The museum will use the statement of principles ‘Spoliation of Works of Art
during the Nazi, Holocaust and World War II period’, issued for non-national
museums in 1999 by the Museums and Galleries Commission.
16. The Repatriation and Restitution of objects and human
remains
The museum’s governing body, acting on the advice of the museum’s
professional staff, if any, may take a decision to return human remains
(unless covered by the “Guidance for the care of human remains in
museums” issued by DCMS in 2005) , objects or specimens to a country or
people of origin. The museum will take such decisions on a case by case
basis; within its legal position and taking into account all ethical implications
and available guidance. This will mean that the procedures described in 12a12d, 12g and 12s below will be followed but the remaining procedures are not
appropriate.
The disposal of human remains from museums in England, Northern Ireland
and Wales will follow the procedures in the “Guidance for the care of human
remains in museums”.
17. Management of archives
As the museum holds / intends to acquire archives, including photographs
and printed ephemera, its governing body will be guided by the Code of
Practice on Archives for Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom (3rd
ed., 2002).
18. Disposal procedures
a. The governing body will ensure that the disposal process is carried out
openly and with transparency.
b. By definition, the museum has a long-term purpose and holds collections
in trust for society in relation to its stated objectives. The governing body
therefore accepts the principle that sound curatorial reasons for disposal
must be established before consideration is given to the disposal of any
items in the museum’s collection.
c. The museum will confirm that it is legally free to dispose of an
item and agreements on disposal made with donors will be taken
into account.
d. When disposal of a museum object is being considered, the museum will
establish if it was acquired with the aid of an external funding organisation.
In such cases, any conditions attached to the original grant will be followed.
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This may include repayment of the original grant and a proportion of the
proceeds if the item is disposed of by sale.
e. When disposal is motivated by curatorial reasons the procedures outlined
in paragraphs 12g-12s will be followed and the method of disposal may be by
gift, sale or exchange.
f. In exceptional cases, the disposal may be motivated principally by financial
reasons. The method of disposal will therefore be by sale and the procedures
outlined below in paragraphs 12g-12m and 12s will be followed. In cases
where disposal is motivated by financial reasons, the governing body will not
undertake disposal unless it can be demonstrated that all the following
exceptional circumstances are met in full:



the disposal will significantly improve the long-term public benefit
derived from the remaining collection,
the disposal will not be undertaken to generate short-term revenue (for
example to meet a budget deficit),
the disposal will be undertaken as a last resort after other sources of
funding have been thoroughly explored.
The disposal decision-making process
g. Whether the disposal is motivated either by curatorial or financial reasons,
the decision to dispose of material from the collections will be taken by the
governing body only after full consideration of the reasons for disposal. Other
factors including the public benefit, the implications for the museum’s
collections and collections held by museums and other organisations
collecting the same material or in related fields will be considered. External
expert advice will be obtained and the views of stakeholders such as donors,
researchers, local and source communities and others served by the museum
will also be sought.
Responsibility for disposal decision-making
h. A decision to dispose of a specimen or object, whether by gift, exchange,
sale or destruction (in the case of an item too badly damaged or deteriorated
to be of any use for the purposes of the collections or for reasons of health
and safety), will be the responsibility of the governing body of the museum
acting on the advice of professional curatorial staff, if any, and not of the
curator of the collection acting alone.
Use of proceeds of sale
i. Any monies received by the museum governing body from the disposal of
items will be applied for the benefit of the collections. This normally means
the purchase of further acquisitions. In exceptional cases, improvements
relating to the care of collections in order to meet or exceed Accreditation
requirements relating to the risk of damage to and deterioration of the
collections may be justifiable. Any monies received in compensation for the
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damage, loss or destruction of items will be applied in the same way. Advice
on those cases where the monies are intended to be used for the care of
collections will be sought from MLA.
j. The proceeds of a sale will be ring-fenced so it can be demonstrated that
they are spent in a manner compatible with the requirements of the
Accreditation standard.
Disposal by gift or sale
k. Once a decision to dispose of material in the collection has been taken,
priority will be given to retaining it within the public domain, unless it is to be
destroyed. It will therefore be offered in the first instance, by gift or sale,
directly to other Accredited Museums likely to be interested in its acquisition.
l. If the material is not acquired by any Accredited Museums to which it was
offered directly as a gift or for sale, then the museum community at large will
be advised of the intention to dispose of the material, normally through an
announcement in the Museums Association’s Museums Journal, and in
other specialist journals where appropriate.
m. The announcement relating to gift or sale will indicate the number and
nature of specimens or objects involved, and the basis on which the material
will be transferred to another institution. Preference will be given to
expressions of interest from other Accredited Museums. A period of at least
two months will be allowed for an interest in acquiring the material to be
expressed. At the end of this period, if no expressions of interest have been
received, the museum may consider disposing of the material to other
interested individuals and organisations giving priority to organisations in the
public domain.
Disposal by exchange
n. The nature of disposal by exchange means that the museum will not
necessarily be in a position to exchange the material with another Accredited
museum. The governing body will therefore ensure that issues relating to
accountability and impartiality are carefully considered to avoid undue
influence on its decision-making process.
o. In cases where the governing body wishes for sound curatorial reasons to
exchange material directly with Accredited or unaccredited museums, with
other organisations or with individuals, the procedures in paragraphs 12a-12d
and 12g-12h will be followed as will the procedures in paragraphs 12p-12s.
p. If the exchange is proposed to be made with a specific Accredited
museum, other Accredited museums which collect in the same or related
areas will be directly notified of the proposal and their comments will be
requested.
q. If the exchange is proposed with a non-accredited museum, with another
type of organisation or with an individual, the museum will make an
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announcement in the Museums Journal and in other specialist journals where
appropriate.
r. Both the notification and announcement must provide information on the
number and nature of the specimens or objects involved both in the
museum’s collection and those intended to be acquired in exchange. A period
of at least two months must be allowed for comments to be received. At the
end of this period, the governing body must consider the comments before a
final decision on the exchange is made.
Documenting disposal
s. Full records will be kept of all decisions on disposals and the items involved
and proper arrangements made for the preservation and/or transfer, as
appropriate, of the documentation relating to the items concerned, including
photographic records where practicable in accordance with SPECTRUM
Procedure on deaccession and disposal.
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