V&A

Rediscovering Gems: British Museum exhibition exposes hypocrisy of new loan agreements for looted objects

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The British Museum’s latest exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, displays a range of prized ancient Roman and Greek artefacts.

Key Points: 
  • The British Museum’s latest exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, displays a range of prized ancient Roman and Greek artefacts.
  • The exhibition stemmed from an announcement last year that numerous pieces from the museum’s collection were missing, stolen or damaged.
  • While the British Museum celebrates recovered items in its new exhibition, it has continuously refused to return historically looted items in its own collection back to countries of origin.

From irony to hypocrisy

  • The objects will remain with the Asante for three to six years before having to be legally returned to the British Museum.
  • Read more:
    V&A's decision to loan looted Asante gold back to Ghana has implications for other British museums

    And herein lies the hypocrisy of Rediscovering gems.

  • The opening of Rediscovering gems displays an open embrace of institutional hypocrisy.
  • There is no legal barrier preventing the amendment of laws enabling the permanent restitution of historically looted objects.

Beyond the British Museum

  • As well as continuing to pile pressure on the British Museum and UK lawmakers, I would argue that community stakeholders and national leaders should look beyond most national museums which are prohibited by law from returning objects to countries of origin.
  • This includes the Science Museum Group, Kew Gardens and Wallace Collection.
  • As well as striking the loan agreement with the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, Asante representatives also struck a deal with the Fowler Museum at the University of California in Los Angeles.
  • The British Museum declined a request from The Conversation to comment on this story.


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Nathan Bossoh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

With 2,000 missing objects, the British Museum faces a historic crisis of custodianship - but this case is far from unique

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023

The theft is suspected to be an inside job that took place over a period of twenty years.

Key Points: 
  • The theft is suspected to be an inside job that took place over a period of twenty years.
  • This is not the first time the Museum has come under fire and its custodianship has been questioned.

The Duveen scouring

    • There can be little doubt that the most notorious of them is the Duveen scouring scandal, so-named after Joseph Duveen, an ultra-rich art dealer of dubious ethics and benefactor of the British Museum.
    • The marbles were later placed in the Duveen Gallery, named in honour of the man responsible for the damage to their historic surface.
    • The Duveen scouring was not the only cleaning of the marbles to cause consternation.
    • It is probable that, if these early warnings had been headed, the Duveen cleaning could have been avoided.

Other controversies

    • During a 1999 conference in the museum, a sandwich lunch was served in the Duveen Gallery, and the delegates were encouraged to touch the ancient sculptures.
    • Many among those present found the gesture so inconsiderate that they walked out of the gallery.
    • A controversy of a different kind concerns contested objects in the Museum’s collection that are the object of repatriation requests.

The Museum’s current troubles

    • About half of the Museum’s 8 million items are uncatalogued and this lack of an inventory has certainly facilitated the thefts.
    • The fact that it took so long to discover the thefts also raises the question of what else might have gone missing without a trace.
    • Yet one can’t help but wonder: Do the Museum’s current woes have other museum directors fretting with anxiety?
    • What if some of the identified stolen items are contested items that have been the object of restitution requests?

Crisis as an opportunity

    • Every crisis is an opportunity, and here too there is an opportunity.
    • After the resignation of the director Hartwig Fischer, an interim director, Sir Mark Jones, has been appointed.

How King Charles III's coronation robes -- and other historical garments -- are conserved

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Ahead of King Charles III’s coronation on May 6 2023, textile conservators based at Historic Royal Palaces are hard at work.

Key Points: 
  • Ahead of King Charles III’s coronation on May 6 2023, textile conservators based at Historic Royal Palaces are hard at work.
  • For the occasion, the sovereign is set to don historic ceremonial robes, heavy with history and symbolism.
  • Around his neck, the king will wear the Royal Stole, a thin band of golden silk generously embroidered with heraldry and foliage.
  • This piece is part of our coverage of King Charles III’s coronation.

Designed to last

    • A garment designed for a 46-year-old in 1911 won’t necessarily fit a 75-year-old in 2023.
    • In concert with textile specialists, they might have applied hidden loops on the inside of the robes so they do not slip when worn.
    • Ensuring this, however, involves thorough environmental monitoring to achieve optimum conditions – regular humidity levels, cool temperatures, low light levels.
    • In contrast to these garments designed to last, pop culture treasures like the costumes held among the 80,000-piece collection of Bowie memorabilia the V&A recently acquired, present different challenges.

Textile stories

    • Polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride and synthetic rubber, developed in the early 20th century, gave artists different surfaces to work with, allowing for both glossy and matt looks.
    • Bowie’s Kabuki jumpsuit, that Yamamoto designed for the 1973 Aladdin Sane tour, is a prime example.
    • Conserving a garment of historical importance isn’t only about the fabric and design, but the occasions when it was used.
    • Ensuring the survival of historic textile and dress artefacts allows stories and histories to be shared from generation to generation.

The Aga Khan Museum Will Celebrate the Life and Impact of Rumi in a New Exhibition Opening This Spring

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230503005352/en/
    A King Sends Out His Sons Illustration from a dispersed manuscript of Masnavi-yi Ma‘navi of Rumi Iran, Tabriz, ca.
  • 1530 Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper Aga Khan Museum, 2016.3.1 Photo credit - ©Aga Khan Museum 2023
    Rumi’s words have become familiar to audiences all over the globe, appearing everywhere from social media to visual art.
  • In this exhibition, historical and contemporary arts come together to speak of his lasting legacy and impact,” says Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis, Director and CEO of the Aga Khan Museum.
  • Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival – This free exhibition in the Aga Khan Park and lower-level gallery features mesmerizing photographs by Italian-Senegalese Sufi artist Maïmouna Guerresi.

Major Gift and Donation to Help V&A Secure David Bowie's Archive for the Nation: Over 80,000 Items Spanning Six Decades of the Cultural Icon's Career to be Made Available to the Public for the First Time

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 23, 2023

Alongside the creation of the new Centre, the gift will support the ongoing conservation, research, and study of the archive.

Key Points: 
  • Alongside the creation of the new Centre, the gift will support the ongoing conservation, research, and study of the archive.
  • Dr. Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said: "David Bowie was one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time.
  • The V&A is thrilled to become custodians of his incredible archive, and to be able to open it up for the public.
  • The acquisition follows the V&A's ground-breaking 2013 exhibition, David Bowie Is…, which marked the first time a museum had been given unprecedented access to the David Bowie Archive.

SelectBlinds collaborates with the Victoria and Albert Museum to release timeless window coverings

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SelectBlinds , a custom online window covering retailer, debuted the William Morris Collection, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

Key Points: 
  • CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SelectBlinds , a custom online window covering retailer, debuted the William Morris Collection, in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).
  • Founded in 1852 to make works of art available to all, today the V&A is the world's leading museum of art, design and performance.
  • "It's been a pleasure working with the Victoria and Albert Museum to celebrate his legacy through our products."
  • It's been a joy to work with SelectBlinds on producing window covering options that suit all different homes and styles."

Newmark Appoints Chris Carver as Head of Asia-Pacific for its Valuation & Advisory Practice

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 10, 2023

NEW YORK and HONG KONG, Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newmark is pleased to announce that Chris Carver MRICS, MSISV, AAPI , has joined as Executive Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC) for the company's Valuation & Advisory (V&A) practice.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK and HONG KONG, Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newmark is pleased to announce that Chris Carver MRICS, MSISV, AAPI , has joined as Executive Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC) for the company's Valuation & Advisory (V&A) practice.
  • Carver will manage and lead valuation services and be responsible for expanding Newmark V&A's presence across APAC.
  • Newmark V&A provides real estate appraisals and other valuation services to owners, investors, developers and financial institutions worldwide.
  • "We are delighted to welcome Chris as APAC Regional Leader as we continue to expand our practice globally," said Busi.

Patrick McDowell unveils his latest collection 'Marie Antoinette Goes to Liverpool' and debut collaboration with TENCEL™

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 19, 2022

LONDON, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick McDowell revealed his new London Fashion Week collection and debut collaboration with TENCEL™️ lyocell fibres and TENCEL™ LUXE filament yarns, under Lenzing's textile specialty brand, created to enhance sustainability in the luxury and high-end fashion sector.

Key Points: 
  • - Patrick McDowell, Founder and Creative Director of Patrick McDowell
    "Having Patrick McDowell as our Designer in Residence and Sustainability Ambassador this year has been an honour.
  • Harold Weghorst, Global Vice President Marketing & Branding at Lenzing AG
    About Patrick McDowell: PATRICK MCDOWELL is an independent sustainable brand based in the heart of London.
  • Product brands under TENCEL include TENCEL Active, TENCEL Denim, TENCEL Home, TENCEL Intimate, TENCEL LUXE and TENCEL for Footwear.
  • About TENCEL LUXE: TENCEL LUXE lyocell filament yarn is created via eco-filament technology under TENCEL, the textile specialty brand of the Lenzing Group.

Patrick McDowell unveils his latest collection 'Marie Antoinette Goes to Liverpool' and debut collaboration with TENCEL™

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 11, 2022

LONDON, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Patrick McDowell revealed his new London Fashion Week collection and debut collaboration with TENCEL™️ lyocell fibres and TENCEL™ LUXE filament yarns, under Lenzing's textile specialty brand, created to enhance sustainability in the luxury and high-end fashion sector.

Key Points: 
  • - Patrick McDowell, Founder and Creative Director of Patrick McDowell
    "Having Patrick McDowell as our Designer in Residence and Sustainability Ambassador this year has been an honour.
  • Harold Weghorst, Global Vice President Marketing & Branding at Lenzing AG
    About Patrick McDowell: PATRICK MCDOWELL is an independent sustainable brand based in the heart of London.
  • Product brands under TENCEL include TENCEL Active, TENCEL Denim, TENCEL Home, TENCEL Intimate, TENCEL LUXE and TENCEL for Footwear.
  • About TENCEL LUXE: TENCEL LUXE lyocell filament yarn is created via eco-filament technology under TENCEL, the textile specialty brand of the Lenzing Group.

Museum of the City of New York Serves Up “Food in New York: Bigger Than the Plate" - An Indoor/Outdoor Exhibition Exploring How and What New Yorkers Eat and Why It Matters

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 7, 2022

The Museum of the City of New Yorks new exhibition, Food in New York: Bigger Than the Plate examines the powerful connections between New Yorkersand countless others across the globefostered by food.

Key Points: 
  • The Museum of the City of New Yorks new exhibition, Food in New York: Bigger Than the Plate examines the powerful connections between New Yorkersand countless others across the globefostered by food.
  • Opening September 16th, the indoor/outdoor show marks the first time that the Museums back terrace will be utilized as exhibition space.
  • Once European settlers took over the land, the output changed and, by the end of the 19th century, the city was a major center of food industries.
  • With the rise of trading networks, New Yorkers began to outsource their food production and deindustrialization sent manufacturing elsewhere.