2. COLLECTIONS: ACQUISITION OF MATERIAL
Policy Statement of Aims, Activities and Terms of Reference for Guernsey Museums & Galleries, July 1992
[Note that this is the text of a document published by the ANCIENT MONUMENTS COMMITTEE, which changed its name to the HERITAGE COMMITTEE in 1993. The policy document was reviewed and a revised version issued in 2000.]
| 1. GENERAL 2. COLLECTIONS: ACQUISITION OF MATERIAL |
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1.1 The Ancient Monuments Committee as the Museum Authority is responsible for the management and development of all museum and art gallery services for the States of Guernsey.
1.2 At present these comprise the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery in Candie Gardens; the Main Guard, 201 Squadron, Militia and Armoury Museums, the Maritime Museum and Hatton Gallery in Castle Cornet; the Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum; and the Museum Services Department in St John Street.
1.3 The Service should aim to inform, educate and entertain members of the general public through its exhibition and education services (see 4 and 6).
1.4 The Service recognises and accepts its commitment to the collecting, preserving, researching and communicating to the general public, students and scholars, of original evidence of the past and present local environment and culture.
1.5 The Service should aim to develop the various collections by means of donations, bequests, loans, field collection and purchase, as appropriate, in accordance with the Authority’s acquisitions policy as contained in this Policy Statement, and as reviewed from time to time.
1.6 The Service is responsible for all items committed to its care whether permanently or temporarily, and must take all reasonable steps to ensure their safety, security and conservation.
1.7 The Authority has adopted the Museums Association ‘Code of Practice for Museum Authorities’, save that in all legal matters the provisions of Guernsey law will be followed
2. COLLECTIONS: ACQUISITION OF MATERIAL
2.1 The Authority will from time to time adopt and publish a written statement of the acquisition policy, to be reviewed at least once every five years.
2.2 The Authority supports the principle of the Unesco ‘Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property’ 1970, and will comply with the spirit and ethical principles of the convention.
2.3 The Authority will not acquire, whether by purchase, donation, bequest, loan or exchange any object or work of art unless the officer responsible is satisfied that the Authority can acquire valid title to the specimen in question and that, in particular, it has not been acquired in or exported from its country of origin in violation of that country’s laws.
2.4 So far as biological and geological material is concerned, the Authority will not knowingly 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.
2.5 The general acquisition policy of the Authority is, as it has been since 1973, to concentrate on material from or relating to the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Authority will pursue an active collecting policy in this area, by purchase in some cases. (This policy excludes the island of Alderney for as long as the Alderney Society Museum performs this function for the Island.)
The Service will continue to rely heavily on the generosity of private individuals and charitable sources to strengthen its collections. It will emphasize to potential benefactors that the Authority has adopted the ‘Code of Conduct for Museum Authorities’ which includes safeguards against the disposal of collections. Wherever possible, the Service will seek to acquire material as donations, bequests or permanent loans. Short-term loans will only be accepted for exceptional material or for temporary exhibitions.
2.7 The collections were not formed to any specific plan during the early years of the Service’s history. The present collections have resulted from the amalgamation of four separate museums as follows:
The Lukis Museum, 1909, containing both local and foreign archaeological and geological material with some biological specimens;
The Candie Museum, 1938, containing european paintings and ceramics, and oriental ceramics;
The Castle Cornet Museums, c 1950, containing military and maritime material;
The Guille-Allès Museum, 1978, containing both local and foreign biological, geological and archaeological material, ethnographic material, numismatics and some local history material, now on permanent loan to the Authority.
The collections, therefore, include a high percentage of items which have little connection with the island other than having been collected by islanders. It is the Authority’s policy to retain these items for use by the Service for special exhibitions and for education. The collections are in some cases of historic importance (eg the archaeological material collected by Lukis in the 1850s, the North West Pacific ethnographic material collected by Captain Vancouver, the oriental ceramics acquired by Carey) and warrant retention on this account.
2.8 The Authority’s acquisition policy in the case of the non-local collections is passive rather than active, ie donations or loans which fill gaps in the existing collections would be accepted, but purchases are unlikely to be made.
2.9 ARCHAEOLOGY
The Service holds the most important collection of local archaeological material based largely on the collections of the Lukis family in the last century. The prehistoric collections are particularly strong. Prior to recent excavation little roman or medieval material was held, but this situation has radically changed over the past decade.
2.10 The Service collects archaeological material in the islands of Guernsey, Herm and Lihou. It recognises its responsibilities within the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a whole and regularly gives advice and/or assistance to the islands of Sark and Alderney.
2.11 Material will generally be acquired from properly controlled archaeological excavations and surveys by museum officers or other reputable and properly constituted archaeological organizations recognised by the service. The Authority has since 1975 pursued an active policy of excavation with a view to increasing knowledge of the prehistory and early history of the island and of acquiring material from these periods for the museum. Where the site being excavated is not a scheduled monument under States of Guernsey ownership, an agreement with the landowner must be negotiated before the start of the excavation concerning the eventual disposal and preservation of the finds.
2.12 A small archaeological research team (Guernsey Museum Research and Rescue Group) is supported by the Authority to undertake rescue work on local building developments or sites threatened by erosion.
2.13 Casual archaeological finds and private or historic collections will be acquired by agreement or purchase.
2.14 The collections of non-local archaeological material are world-wide in scope and form an important comparative reference. Material which fills gaps in the relevant French and British collections will be acquired if possible.
2.15 MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY
Under The Wreck and Salvage (Vessels and Aircraft) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 1986, the Authority is responsible for all historic wreck. The Authority has set up a special committee (the Historic Wreck Advisory Committee) comprised of eminent academics to advise it on these matters. A group of local divers (Guernsey Nautical Archaeology Team), is currently undertaking a survey of the waters around Castle Cornet and monitoring an early medieval wreck in St Peter Port harbour for the Authority. The Authority liaises closely with the Guernsey Maritime Trust over the care and conservation of the 3rd century Gallo-Roman vessel recovered in 1985 from St Peter Port harbour. Technical and financial assistance has been afforded to the Trust.
2.16 ARCHIVES
The Service has a small collection of early documents which have been acquired as material for exhibition and will continue to acquire a limited number of documents for these reasons. The Authority is also responsible for an Archives Service and archives in general are under the care of the Island Archivist.
2.17 FINE ART
The collections contain a good selection of paintings and prints by local artists and include the most important holdings in existence of works by Peter Le Lievre and William Caparne. The Service’s financial resources will continue to be used to acquire works by local artists or local scenes by visiting artists.
2.18 The collections are notably weak in contemporary works of art and, with the recently increased Purchase Fund, the Service will pursue an active collecting policy in this area.
2.19 The portrait collection is also limited and the Service will seek to acquire further depictions of notable past islanders or people with a strong Guernsey connection.
2.20 The collections also include a small group of european oil paintings and oriental paintings on silk. No acquisitions will be made in this area.
2.21 APPLIED ART
Ceramics
The collection is made up of a selection of oriental, english and continental material. Some of the material is of high quality, but there are many gaps. The oriental material is the most comprehensive and the Authority might in future consider acquisitions to fill gaps in this collection. The Service also holds on loan the Gardiner Collection of european drinking glasses which is an important reference collection.
2.22 Numismatics
The collection is fairly comprehensive and includes some important pieces. Since 1971 mint examples of each new coin and note issue have been passed to the museum by the States Treasurer.
2.23 Philately
The Service holds a complete collection of all postage stamps issued since the independence of the Guernsey Post Office in 1969 and holds on loan, from the Post Office Board, the artwork for these stamps.
2.24 Wood and Metalwork
The collections include a number of oriental bronzes and also carved wooden panels from the Japanese structures erected in Saumarez Park by Lord de Saumarez. No acquisitions will be made in this area.
2.25 Silver and Pewter
High quality silver was made in Guernsey for some 100 years from around 1720. The collection consists of some two dozen pieces and many important makers and silver types are not represented. The Service will pursue an active collecting policy in this area where the opportunity arises. Non-local silver with strong Guernsey connections will also be acquired. The pewter collection is more comprehensive and the Authority holds on loan the Woolmer Collection of Channel Islands pewter type series. Only exceptional pieces need be acquired.
2.26 SOCIAL HISTORY
General
The existing collections are limited and much of the material has been acquired since 1973. The Service will pursue an active acquisition policy in relation to items of historical, rural, domestic, agricultural and industrial interest. Material from outside the island will be acquired where it relates directly to the activities of Guernsey people.
2.27 Costume
The Service has a very limited costume collection, apart from military uniforms (see 2.30), and will only seek to acquire limited material in this area in view of the National Trust of Guernsey’s large (some 3,000 items) holding. Material for exhibition is generously lent by the Trust on request.
2.28 Photographs
The Service holds a large part of the early 20th century Guerin Collection of glass negatives. It will continue to acquire old photographs with local connections as originals or copies and add recent photographs of particular local interest. The aim of the photographic collection is to build up a well-documented and indexed visual archive to complement and support the collections and provide illustrative material for exhibitions.
2.29 Film Archive
The Service has recently established a film archive through the agency of the Educational Television Network of Jersey. This archive is kept in the Island Archives Service. The Service will hold copy recordings for education use.
2.30 MARITIME HISTORY
The Service has a particular interest in this area in view of its new maritime museum in Castle Cornet. The existing collections include a good group of paintings, engravings, wool pictures, photographs and models of local ships or ships which have served the island, and a limited collection of nautical instruments, shipmakers’ tools, uniforms and documents. The Service will pursue an active acquisition policy in the area of maritime history (see also 2.14).
2.31 The collections also include material relating to local shipwrecks acquired for the Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum and the Maritime Museum in Castle Cornet. The Service will continue to acquire material in this area.
2.32 MILITARIA
Royal Guernsey Militia
The Authority holds the regimental silver and other items belonging to the Royal Guernsey Militia. In addition, the Spencer Collection is the most important single holding of uniforms, badges and accoutrements relating to the Royal Guernsey Militia, and also contains material from the other Channel Islands militias. The Service actively seeks to acquire any material relating to the Guernsey Militia or the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.
2.33 Medals
The collection of medals increases each year and now forms a substantial holding. The Service acquires most medals through donations or bequests and accepts all medals won by islanders together with related material.
2.34 Shooting Trophies
The collection consists of trophies won by islanders in the form of silver cups, and silver, bronze and other badges. Most are acquired in the same manner as medals and will continue to be collected.
2.35 Arms and Armour
The collection of firearms and edged weapons is fairly comprehensive and there is a limited collection of armour, some on loan from the Tower of London. The Service will continue to acquire material in this area to fill gaps in the collection within the period covered by the military occupation of Castle Cornet, ie 1204-1945, or with local connections. The Service will also actively seek to acquire further cannons and guns for Castle Cornet or other fortifications.
2.36 Occupation History
The Service has a limited collection of occupation material, most of which relates to Castle Cornet. The Service will seek to acquire material in this area to illustrate the period in general or educational terms and, in particular, material relating to Castle Cornet or German fortifications listed as ancient monuments by the Authority.
2.37 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
Over the past few years the Service has acquired a number of items of industrial machinery used in the island which would otherwise have been taken for scrap. Collecting will continue on this basis, within the limits of the storage space available, with the eventual objective of establishing an industrial museum on the island. Associated items will also be collected.
2.38 Weights and Measures
Over the years the island’s official weights and measures have been passed to the Authority as they have gone out of use. The collection also includes non-official material and additional items will be acquired where possible.
2.39 ETHNOGRAPHY
The collections includes important early ethnographic material from the North West Pacific, Oceania, the Far East and India. No active acquisition is envisaged in this area, although the Service would be prepared to accept material relating to the present collections in the form of donations or permanent loans.
2.40 NATURAL SCIENCE
The extensive collections include important local and foreign botanical, geological and zoological material. Before 1986 the Authority commissioned specialist reports and employed some temporary specialised assistance to assess and re-organize these collections. In 1986 a Natural History Officer has been employed and this has enabled improvements to be made to the physical arrangement, documentation, care, status and use of the collections. The Authority now intends to build on the data inherent in the collections and establish a biological and geological records centre for the island.
2.41 Botany
The collection includes several thousand specimens, most of which came from the Guille-Allès Collection, including useful early 19th century local specimens and some foreign and exotic material. La Société Guernesiaise maintains the most important historical and current voucher herbaria for the island. Nonetheless, the material in the care of the Authority also has importance and its on-going care is essential. Active collecting is not envisaged, in view of the active role taken by La Société, but donations of important local material will be accepted.
2.42 Geology
The collections consist of some 5000 items from the Guille-Allès and Lukis Collections and include an important series of local rocks and minerals, together with good educational and display quality exotic mineral and fossil material. Work is in progress on their cleaning, re-identification and documentation. Additions of significant local specimens will be made as the opportunity or need arises. Foreign material will not be actively collected, but donations will be accepted if they are relevant to the existing collections.
2.43 Zoology
Mainly originating from the Guille-Allès Collections, the collection includes an estimated 20,000 insects, together with mounted mammals, birds and fish and fish casts, skeletal material, shells, crustacea and other miscellaneous items. The general condition of the material is poor, but includes important local specimens and voucher material. Documentation and conservation of the existing collection will preclude much active collecting, but donations will be accepted. The Authority will not condone any killing for the purposes of collecting and birds’ eggs will not be accepted, apart from historic collections. The relevant authorities will be informed if breaches of the law are suspected.
3 COLLECTIONS : DISPOSAL OF MATERIAL
3.1 The acquisition of material into the museum collections imposes certain clearly defined legal and moral obligations upon the Authority. The Authority through its officers fulfills a purely custodial role in respect of collections that are in public ownership.
3.2 However, on the advice of its appointed officers, it may be beneficial to the welfare of the collections, as a whole, in exceptional cases, to dispose of certain items. In the case of material donated or bequeathed on specific conditions that would be abrogated by disposal, the permission of the donor or living relatives, where reasonably possible, should be sought. Failing this, the provisions of Guernsey law will be followed.
3.3 If the foregoing conditions have been satisfied, material should first be offered to other museum authorities in keeping with the Museums Association ‘Code of Practice for Museum Authorities’.
3.4 Should a financial value be realized on the disposal of material, these monies should be applied solely for the purpose of additions to the museum collections or transferred to an appropriate fund to this end.
4.1 The Authority shall provide the means whereby the objects in the collections can be made accessible to the public through both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
4.2 Permanent Exhibitions
The Authority’s policy for permanent exhibitions is that their content should be concerned with the culture, environment and history of the island of Guernsey in all its aspects. Military and maritime material will be shown in Castle Cornet, and maritime material relating to shipwrecks at Fort Grey.
4.3 Temporary Exhibitions
The Authority will mount a varying number of temporary exhibitions during each year at the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery. Their content should fulfill one of the following objectives:
allow exhibition of material in the Service’s own reserve collections;
provide a forum for local activities appropriate to the museum;
bring items of interest or educational value through travelling exhibitions from the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
5.1 The officers shall undertake and permit others deemed qualified to undertake research on the collections, to enhance and realise the full potential of these collections, as staff time and resources permit.
5.2 In acquiring material, the Authority also recognises its responsibility to ensure the conservation, documentation and proper use of such material and of all objects entrusted to its care.
5.3 Research and documentation of the collections will be undertaken by the appropriate officers, priority being given to research on local material. The information realised through this work will be available to any interested organization, parish or States department.
5.4 Conservation and restoration of items in the collections will be undertaken by the Service’s technical officers as far as possible. Items which cannot be so treated will be sent to accredited conservation agencies elsewhere as funds allow.
5.5 The Service will endeavour to provide resources to facilitate the use of the collections by the community as a whole for the purposes of study. Material will not, however, be allowed out of the museum, except in the case of items sent to other museums and similar institutions for conservation or study.
5.6 The Service will co-operate with other island museums in matters of common interest and will render advice and assistance wherever possible.
6.1 The Service will provide through its education officer an active education service to schools and colleges within the island, including talks, lectures, and the provision of education work sheets, resources material and information sheets.
6.2 Opportunity will be given for the handling of selected items from the collections, but such items will only be allowed out of the museum in the charge of an officer.
6.3 Although priority will be given to local schools and colleges, this service is also available to schools visiting the island from outside and to youth groups, scouts and other similar bodies or interest groups.
6.4 The Authority will allow free entry to all its museums for recognised educational groups.
6.5 The Service will provide evening talks and gallery visits to adult groups on request.
6.6 The Service will liaise with the States Education Council through the Guernsey Teachers’ Service and will assist in the training of teachers in the educational use of the museum services.
6.7 Out of school activities, based on the museums, will be provided for local children, where possible.
7.1 The officers of the museum undertake where possible to identify and give information concerning objects deposited for that purpose by members of the public.
7.2 The officers of the museum shall not give a valuation on an object nor direct the enquirer to any single dealer to obtain such valuations.
7.3 The officers of the museum shall refuse to give any opinion on and object where the enquirer does not appear to have title to the object that would satisfy the criteria of 2.2 or 2.3. In addition, where the officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the object brought in as an enquiry has been stolen, illegally imported or illegally acquired, it shall be the responsibility of the officer, in consultation with a senior officer, to notify the police or other appropriate authority without delay.
7.4 The officers of the museum undertake where possible to give advice and answer general enquiries within their specialised fields.
8.1 The provision of museum shops is regarded as a necessary part of the Authority’s service to the public.
8.2 The books and objects available for sale should conform to good standards of quality and be broadly relevant to the museum’s activities or special exhibitions.
8.3 The Authority shall undertake to publish information concerning the collections and the island’s culture, environment and history for both the general and specialist reader. The Authority currently publishes two book series, Guernsey Museum Monographs and Artists in Guernsey. The first book in a third series is entitled Maritime Guernsey.
8.4 Copyright on all such published material will be retained by the States of Guernsey.
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