Parthenon Marbles among artefacts being examined by British Museum’s new curator

·

The British Museum has hired a curator to delve into the history of its eight million objects, many of which were obtained during the colonial era. 

Historian Dr Isobel MacDonald is to lead the museum’s History of Collection research, by examining how objects have arrived in the museum since its foundation.

Several of the items in the museum’s collection are subject to claims, including the Parthenon Marbles, which were taken from Greece, the Benin Bronzes, the Rosetta Stone and the four-tonne Hoa Hakananai’a statue from Easter Island.

According to The Art Newspaper, although claims are being made for artefacts such as the Parthenon Marbles, the new curator has a wider brief to examine more general issues relating to the past acquisitions. 

The British Museum has hired a curator to delve into the history of its eight million objects.

A British Museum spokesperson said “it is not the purpose of this role to examine the specific histories of contested objects,” although the project “will cover areas of the collection that include contested objects.”

“This means it is likely that issues such as the role of the slave trade and empire…will be relevant to some of the research undertaken,” the spokesperson adds.

“The primary purpose is to carry out a high-level analysis of the history of the collection. It will look at the wider patterns of how different types of objects from different parts of the world entered the collection and place those in a broader historical context.”

Until last year, MacDonald was a teaching assistant in Art History at the University of Glasgow, following her doctorate there on William Burrell (1861-1958) as a collector.

She hopes that the British Museum project will “develop a different way to look at the history of such an important institution that will allow us to better understand how the collection came together.”

MacDonald’s research should provide important background—and her work will no doubt be closely monitored by claimants.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Paul Afkos OAM: ‘Greek Australians are more Greek than Greeks living in Greece’

There is much information on Mr Afkos online. He is the longest serving post-war President of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia.

How accurate are film representations of Greek Australian culture?

Australia's multicultural space allows its film industry to depict and dissect the cultural lives of those who reside Down Under.

Greece leads world’s largest shipping fleets

Greece continues to dominate in global shipping capacity, per the latest United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data.

Marina Raphael named artistic director for Elie Saab’s handbag line

Marina Raphael, founder and creative director of her namesake handbag brand, has been appointed as Elie Saab’s newest artistic director.

Three Greek coffees among the world’s best

The recent list of top coffee drinks worldwide, presented by Taste Atlas, features 62 varieties, with three Greek coffees securing spots in the Top 10.

You May Also Like

Yiayia Helen Dedes shares her much-loved Christmas Day menu

With Christmas Day just around the corner, who better to ask for their much-loved festive menu than YiaYia’s Greek Kitchen's, Helen Dedes.

Michalis Stavrianoudakis: If more people register Greece can improve the diaspora vote law

Michalis Stavrianoudakis has urged Greek Australians to register so they have the right to vote in the 2023 national elections.

Victorian Premier calls for the ‘immediate return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece’

During the two-day Antipodes Festival in Melbourne over the weekend, Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews, renewed his calls for the return of the Parthenon Marbles...