Persian mail and plate shirt.

Runjeet Singh · 20th October 2013, 12:34 PM

On the other-hand, I recently informed The Herbert museum (Coventry, UK) that they were about exhibit a fake (eBay) Sikh 'Turban' helmet as part of a Sikh Exhibition, and they took my opinion without question.

Unfortunately it had already been on display at Birmingham (UK) Museum for many months, described as a 19thC original, without question by museum staff, and so-called experts invited to the exhibition.

Regards,
Runjeet

Iain · 20th October 2013, 07:53 PM

I've had it go both ways as well. Smaller museums being more willing to engage in a discussion in my experience. It also helps if you can provide a few references and sources for them to pursue.

The last one I got a positive response on was a small regional museum which was exhibiting a 19th century kaskara as 15th century Spanish! They were actually very receptive to being contacted as they don't have any specialized staff and were planning to change the labeling last I heard.

If nothing else, it gives peace of mind I think to at least be able to say I tried to let them know if there's something obviously out of place.

estcrh · 21st October 2013, 08:16 PM

Years ago a mislabeled item would not have caused much problem, now images are being sent all over the world instantly, they are used in blogs, forums and lately on pinterest, and people actually believe the descriptions attached to these images because they think a museum would not make such blatant mistakes. it is not only museums but also auction houses that are sometimes completely wrong in their descriptions as well.

Iain · 21st October 2013, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estcrh

it is not only museums but also auction houses that are sometimes completely wrong in their descriptions as well.

Especially this. Not just wrong with attribution but sadly in some fields completely wrong about authenticity.

Heck, I've had cases of it myself, changing my opinion on some attribution elements on my own site, but sometimes images and old descriptions linger on in other folks' blogs and forum posts.

It's a general danger with online media.

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20th October 2013, 12:34 PM	#1
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	On the other-hand, I recently informed The Herbert museum (Coventry, UK) that they were about exhibit a fake (eBay) Sikh 'Turban' helmet as part of a Sikh Exhibition, and they took my opinion without question. Unfortunately it had already been on display at Birmingham (UK) Museum for many months, described as a 19thC original, without question by museum staff, and so-called experts invited to the exhibition. Regards, Runjeet

20th October 2013, 07:53 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	I've had it go both ways as well. Smaller museums being more willing to engage in a discussion in my experience. It also helps if you can provide a few references and sources for them to pursue. The last one I got a positive response on was a small regional museum which was exhibiting a 19th century kaskara as 15th century Spanish! They were actually very receptive to being contacted as they don't have any specialized staff and were planning to change the labeling last I heard. If nothing else, it gives peace of mind I think to at least be able to say I tried to let them know if there's something obviously out of place.

21st October 2013, 08:16 PM	#3
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	Years ago a mislabeled item would not have caused much problem, now images are being sent all over the world instantly, they are used in blogs, forums and lately on pinterest, and people actually believe the descriptions attached to these images because they think a museum would not make such blatant mistakes. it is not only museums but also auction houses that are sometimes completely wrong in their descriptions as well.