Exeter City CouncilRoyal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM)

Collections Development Policy 2014-2019

Name of museum: Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM)

Name of governing body: Exeter City Council

Date on which this policy was approved by governing body: January 2014

Date at which this policy is due for review: January 2019

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Executive Summary 1

1 RAMM Statement of Purpose 3

2 Collections in 20132.1 Overview 4

2.2 Fine Art 4

2.3 Decorative Art 5

2.4 Costume and Textiles 7

2.5 Ethnography 7

2.6 Natural History 9

2.7 Antiquities 10

3 Collections Review 2012-13: Summary of findings

3.1 Fine Art 13

3.2 Decorative Art 13

3.3 Costume and Textiles 13

3.4 Ethnography 14

3.5 Natural History 14

3.6 Antiquities 14

4 Collections Development Plans4.1 Fine Art 16

4.2 Decorative Art 17

4.3 Costume and Textiles 17

4.4 Ethnography 17

4.5 Natural History 18

4.6 Antiquities 19

5 Plans for use of existing collections5.1 Fine Art 20

5.2 Costume and Textiles 20

5.3 Ethnography 20

5.4 Natural History 20

5.5 Antiquities 20

6 Themes and priorities for future collecting6.1 General principles 21

6.2 Subject statements 22

6.2.1 Fine Art 22

6.2.2 Decorative Art 22

6.2.3 Costume and Textiles 22

6.2.4 Ethnography 22

6.2.5 Natural History 23

6.2.6 Antiquities 27

6.3 Interdisciplinary collecting 29

6.3.1 Social History 29

6.3.2 Contemporary Art 29

6.3.3 Handling collections 30

6.3.4 User-generated content 30

6.3.5 Analogue and digital media 31

7 Themes and priorities for rationalisation and disposal7.1 General principles 32

7.2 Subject statements 33

7.2.1 Fine Art 33

7.2.2 Decorative Art 33

7.2.3 Costume and Textiles 33

7.2.4 Ethnography 33

7.2.5 Natural History 34

7.2.6 Antiquities 34

8 Limitations on collecting 35

9 Policy review procedure 36

10 Acquisitions not covered by the policy 36

11 Acquisition procedures 36

12 Spoliation 37

13 The Repatriation and Restitution of objects and human remains

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14 Management of Archives

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15 Disposal Procedures 38

Appendices

Appendix A Human Remains 55

Appendix B Deposition of Archaeological Archives and Box Fees

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Executive Summary

Collecting is ingrained in all accepted modern definitions of a museum. Indeed, the character of museums, especially 19th-century foundations like RAMM, are determined to a large extent by their past collecting activity, just as their future is determined by what they choose to collect. This document summarises RAMM’s approach to collecting for the period 2014 to 2019.

RAMM owes the wealth of its extraordinary collections to its origins in the 1860s. Its predecessor, the Devon & Exeter Albert Memorial, was created through public subscription in the wake of Prince Albert’s death. Civic leaders had been toying with the idea of a museum for several decades as there were important collections of artefacts and specimens in the city, such as those held by the Devon & Exeter Institution gathered by people who had lived or worked abroad and retired to Devon. These early donations helped to establish RAMM’s reputation when it opened in 1868 around four subject areas that remain the fundamental building blocks of the modern collections: Antiquities (Archaeology and Local History), Art, Ethnography (World Cultures) and Natural History. Since 1870 RAMM has been a service of Exeter City Council and increasingly collecting in these four areas has been refined and formalised through a policy periodically ratified by elected members.

The current policy has been developed by the staff of RAMM and represents an important step forward from the previous Acquisition and Disposal Policy (2005-10 extended until 2013): a change signalled by the new name of Collections Development Policy. It has been informed by the enormous changes within the cultural sector, and society in general, since 2005 which increasingly question the virtue of museum’s passively holding large reserves of objects and specimens with no obvious long-term research or artistic potential. In a harsh financial climate providing care for material of seemingly low cultural capital rightly deserves scrutiny. The new policy incorporates an added dimension to the Acquisition and Disposal Policy by including recommendations drawn from a root-and-branch analysis of what RAMM holds and why it is important. This is known as the Collections Review.

Like many museums, RAMM struggled for much of the 20th century with collections’ information that was at best patchy, at worst non-existent. External funding received from 2001–10 allowed for comprehensive cataloguing of collections formed over the course of 150 years. This work indicates the museum’s holdings are a little in excess of 1 million objects which are now represented by approximately 245,000 records on a collections database. Following on from the inventory project the logical next step was to review these holdings to determine their importance and help ECC establish a robust and sustainable Collections Development Policy to shape future work programmes and maximise public access and engagement. RAMM’s award-winning Collections Review methodology produced a rapid snapshot of the quality of collections and related information based not on subjective curatorial opinion, but on a desktop assessment of the database records and immediately available resources. The result of the work is a ‘league table’ for RAMM’s collections representing standards of collections’ information and also (arguably) a guide to the quality of the museum’s assets.

The new collections policy includes general principles on strategic, ethical collecting and subject statements for each of the collections (pp21-28). In addition to the four main subject areas we have included statements on cross-cutting themes such as social history. Although RAMM does not have a Social History collection it collects paintings, prints and drawings of local people (Art); local people’s clothes and dress accessories (Costume) and local tokens and medals (Antiquities). Funding for new acquisitions in all areas is likely to be very limited between 2014 and 2019 but the

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museum is still offered numerous donations every year – an agreed policy allows us to politely refuse inappropriate gifts and focus our efforts on making key acquisitions that will improve the quality of collections and improve visitor experience.

The new elements of the Collections Development Policy include sections drawing on the Collections Review of 2012 which inform future priorities as well as identify groups for rationalisation and disposal. Previously, museums had a strong presumption against disposing of any collections, but in recent years ethical transfer or disposal which is not driven by financial motives has emerged as an appropriate measure when carried out in accordance with agreed codes of ethics (pp32-34)). Since re-opening in December 2011 RAMM has been building a growing reputation for contemporary art and the commissioning of new artworks. An explicit statement on acquiring contemporary art (p29) is a new departure for RAMM; as is the statement on the difficult issue of archiving digital media (p31).

Also encompassed within the Collections Development Policy is a guide to the conditions of deposit at RAMM of archaeological archives derived from developer-funded excavations (Appendix B). The considerable burden this places on local authorities and museum services led to a national debate in 2013 and talk of a crisis as archaeological units failed to deposit their finds in museums with full stores. In December 2010, on the termination of the last Acquisition and Disposal policy, RAMM ceased to accept archaeological archives as the stores were full and the box fees levied were inadequate to finance a new one. The new archaeological archives policy employs a more robust and sustainable financial model that will allow Exeter to safeguard its archaeological archives.

RAMM has been fortunate in benefitting from numerous, generous benefactors throughout its history – the world-class collections reflect Exeter’s good fortune. We are also indebted to a number of supporters who have assisted in our collections development in recent years. These include, but are not limited to, the Art Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, the Friends of Exeter Museums and Art Gallery, the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Headley Trust, the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme, Kent Kingdon Bequest, the Leche Trust, the Reynolds Chard Bequest, the Pilgrim Trust and the AG Leventis Foundation.

Camilla Hampshire Museums Manager January 2014

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1. Museum’s statement of purpose

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is a service of Exeter City Council. It exists to enrich the lives of people living, working in and visiting Exeter by providing them with opportunities to be inspired, informed and entertained. The City’s world-class collections are placed at the heart of everything the museum does. RAMM will acquire collections that document the natural and cultural history of Exeter set within its regional and national context as well as those that represent the City and region’s connections across the world. The museum holds collections in trust for present and future generations, managing and caring for them for the public benefit.

Our Values:

• We are enthusiastic about everything the museum has to offer.

• We are ambitious for the services and quality of what we do.

• We challenge ourselves in order to provide visitors with a wide range of different

experiences.

• We are responsive to new ideas and views.

• We build on the museum’s reputation by acting responsibly in everything we do.

• We are a friendly and welcoming service.

2. RAMM’s collections

2.1 Overview

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum holds a varied collection containing over one million items. Our principal subject areas are:

Fine and Decorative Art – approximately 27,000 accession records refer to Devon and British oil paintings, drawings, watercolours from the 17th to 20th century, West Country silver, costume and textiles, glass and horology (clocks and watches).

Ethnography – approximately 10,500 accession records refer to ethnographic items from the Pacific, Africa, the Americas and Asia. RAMM’s World Cultures collection is designated by Arts Council England as being of national importance under its Designation scheme.

Natural History – approximately 130,000 accession records refer to British and foreign specimens in the field of Botany (British), Geology (largely local) and Zoology (British and Foreign). Some of these records refer to more than one specimen, so the actual number of specimens is higher – estimated at 350,000.

Antiquities – approximately 53,000 accession records refer to Devon Archaeology, Numismatics (coins, tokens and medals), Architectural Fittings and Foreign Archaeology. Many of these records refer to group accessions (for example, one accession number may cover a box of many pot sherds) so the actual number of objects within Antiquities is significantly higher – estimated at 750,000.

Alongside (and sometimes within) the principal subject areas, RAMM’s holdings also incorporate inter-disciplinary material such as social history, contemporary art and handling collections, together with a limited quantity of digital and analogue media.

Further detail is given in the following section.

2.2 Fine Art

The collections were not formed to any specific plan during the early years of the museum's history (1868-1912) but mainly constituted donations and bequests from key figures such as John Lane, Sir Harry Veitch and Kent and Jane Kingdon. Later it was realised that this policy was too narrow for a major regional museum and in 1968 the policy was broadened to take in the collecting of British art as a whole and European art whenever it proved financially possible. This ambition was not realised, partly due to financial issues, and collecting continues to be limited to donations, bequests and grant-aided purchases.

The collection currently includes material from the 16th century to the present. Now well documented, it comprises approximately 400 paintings, 2000 drawings and watercolours, 2800 prints and a small collection of sculpture.

The acquisition, preservation, documentation and display of local works, for example landscapes and portraits, can be of more importance for their topographical or historical significance than their artistic merit. RAMM has continued to acquire selected additions of work related to the region, such

as Exeter and Devon landscapes; work with a connection to the region through ownership or provenance; and work by established professional artists born, trained or resident in the region, including artists-in-residence. Important recent acquisitions to this part of the collection include works by John White Abbot and Leighton Hall Woollatt.

The Fine Art collections are strong in 18th and 19th-century local artists - in particular Francis Towne, John White Abbott and John Gendall, representing Exeter and Devon topographical scenes. Since 2005, significant Devon artists of this period (pre-dating the 20th century), such as Francis Hayman, Benjamin Robert Haydon and Richard Cosway have been acquired via grant aid in order to extend and consolidate this already significant collection. These artists are either native to or have a tradition of working in Devon. Artists (of excellence and significance) beyond the above remit, including a John Opie portrait of Micaiah Towgood, have been acquired only via donation or bequest.

The representative collection of 20th-century paintings, prints and drawings has been developed, with the addition of works linking artists already featured (eg. Duncan Grant, Walter Sickert) and the groups and schools with which they were associated (eg. Bloomsbury, Camden Town, Euston Road). Recent acquisitions here included a David Bomberg landscape. Works by war artists have lately been consolidated by the acquisition of Leighton Hall Woollatt’s Blitz scenes, among others.

Art photography remains under-represented in the collection. RAMM does not collect record photography, this being directed to Devon Heritage Services (DHS).

Works in RAMM’s sculpture collection range from the medieval period onwards. The acquisition of sculpture is limited by size, storage and conservation factors. However important 20th century small-scale works include Zennor by Barbara Hepworth, Carapace by Michael Ayrton and Triple Loop by Bill Pye.

Works by present-day artists living or working in Devon, or depicting subjects or themes with Devon associations, include a Robert Organ landscape painting acquired in 2011.

2.3 Decorative Art

The Decorative Art collections cover a broad field which divides naturally into a number of groups:

Silver

Pewter and other metalwork

Ceramics

Glass

Civic regalia

Furniture

Horology

Musical instruments

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Costume and textiles

Lace

Arms and armour

The summaries below cover the Decorative Art collections and Costume and textiles collections in turn.

2.3.1 SilverRAMM’s collection of Devon silver is of international importance and dates from the medieval period to the present day. Most was acquired in the post war years through the Veitch bequest and more recently through the Reynolds Chard bequest. The Museum also has some important early church silver on indefinite loan from churches within the diocese. The collections at the Guildhall are mostly of a later date and with Civic associations.

An active collecting policy has been followed to acquire pieces with a Devon or an Exeter civic association. A major recent acquisition was two Elizabethan silver mounted tigerware jugs from Exeter, c1580-90, purchased in 2012 through the Reynolds Chard bequest and the V & A Purchase Grant Fund and the Art Fund.

2.3.2 Pewter and other metalwork.There is a small but interesting collection of 17th to 19th-century pewter, mostly of Devon manufacture. Despite a policy of active collecting where pieces have either a Devon or Exeter association, no suitable items have become available in the period 2005-2012.

2.3.3 CeramicsThe ceramics collection is made up of English and continental material from the 17th century to the present day. Some is of a high quality but there are many gaps. The collections of studio and local Devon potteries are of national importance.

Between 2005 and 2012, RAMM’s collecting policy allowed for acquisition of pottery from Devon and the South West of England by gift, bequest or purchase, and other English, continental and oriental pottery and porcelain by gift or bequest. However, no suitable items became available for acquisition during this time. Similarly, no suitable work by 20th century and contemporary potters became available in this period.

2.3.4 GlassThe Museum has a large and representative collection of glass dating from the early 18th century based on the Clarke bequest of 1928. There are several pieces of special note such as the Joanna Southcott beakers and Charles II flute glass.

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More recently, selective purchases of Devon, British and Continental glass have strengthened existing collections, including the acquisition of Steffen Dam’s glass work The Secret Life of Plants (2010) through the ArtFund Collect scheme in 2011.

2.3.5 Civic regaliaExeter Civic regalia is amongst the most important in the provinces and includes several items such as the 15th-century Waits chains, which are of exceptional interest. A passive collecting policy of acquiring items by gift has been pursued in this area, with no new items acquired between 2005 and 2012.

2.3.6 HorologyRAMM’s collection of Horology embraces clocks, watches and clock and watch-making tools from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Most of the watch collection was bequeathed by C.R. Venn in 1928 and is one of the most important collections outside London, including several very rare time-pieces. More recent acquisitions, including an 18th-century watch by Henry Gard of Exeter, acquired in 2011, have filled some of the gaps in RAMM’s collection.

2.3.6 Musical instrumentsRAMM holds a small, important collection of keyboard instruments in addition to some woodwind and string instruments dating from the late 18th century. The 17th-century virginals by Charles Rewalyn of Exeter and the Italian harpsichord 1782 are outstanding pieces. Owing to a lack of suitable storage space, musical instruments are only accepted if of very special interest, e.g. by a local maker. There have been no recent acquisitions in this area.

2.3.7 Arms and armourThe small collection of armour and swords is based on local 17th and 18th-century material and a medium sized collection of firearms concentrates on local 19th-century manufacturers. No material was added to this collection between 2005 and 2013.

2.4 Costume and textiles

2.4.1 Costume and textilesThe textile collection contains about 15,000 items of costume and textiles (including the lace collection). It illustrates the types of clothes worn by local men, women and children from 1750 to the present day, with some much earlier examples of underwear, accessories and textiles. The collection is strongest in middle/upper class female clothing but is better balanced for more recent periods. The strength of the collection is the quantity of material with strong local connections, whilst the quality and quantity of items ranks it amongst the top ten costume collections in Britain. Many objects have been published.

During the 1980s the collection was developed to show the range of clothes worn by people of all classes in Exeter, with an emphasis on everyday and occupational dress. However, for the most part, the collection has tended towards luxury garments and accessories, particularly women’s afternoon and evening-wear, wedding and special occasion dress. During the 1990s and early

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2000s, collecting was limited to good pieces of lace with a local provenance. In recent years, wider collecting has resumed, with the emphasis on dress and textiles made or worn in Devon. There are also good collections of underwear, outer-garments and accessories with a comprehensive range of fans, hats and footwear.

Items have been collected where there is a good local provenance and where they fill collection gaps. Quality, 20th-century ‘ready-to-wear’ (as distinct from ‘mass-produced’) costume and couture clothing has been collected where there is a link to a local wearer or supplier.

2.4.2 LaceThe lace collection comprises around 2000 items of lace, documentation and equipment. It covers European and British laces (and allied techniques) from the 16th century to the present day. The Bury Palliser and Treadwin collections - both important 19th-century collections of English and Continental lace samples - were among the first collections to be given to the museum in the 1860s. They are unique to RAMM.

The lace collection aims to represent the techniques and designs of the major lace centres of Europe. Key pieces of local manufacture have been acquired by gift, donation or purchase, with recent acquisitions including historic, though not contemporary, pieces.

Between 2005 and 2010, funding to seek and purchase new acquisitions has been limited.

2.5 Ethnography

RAMM’s ethnographic collections consist of some 12,000 items. The collections include items from many parts of the world and reflect acquisitions made during the time of British colonialism in the 18th and 19th centuries. When the museum opened in 1868 a number of significant donations were made. These include collections from:

the Devon and Exeter Institution the Rev Henry Townsend, an Exeter-born missionary based in Nigeria. Townsend set up a

mission in the new Egba city of Abeokuta in 1846. Some of the prestigious gifts he received went on display in the Great Exhibition of 1851

the voyages of Captains Cook (1767-80), Bligh (1791-93), Vancouver (1790-95), Parry (1819-20) and Peard (1826-28) to the Pacific, Arctic and North West coast of America.

John Gould Veitch on the HMS Curaçoa in 1865, who acquired weapons and barkcloth Vice-Admiral Henry Leah, who commanded the naval cruiser Mildura between 1870 and

1894 and acquired tools and costume from Vanuatu Hatton and Cookson trader Richard E Dennett, who donated a collection of religious items

from central Africa, acquired via the coastal port of Cabinda, in 1899 Edgar Dewdney, Lieutenant Governor for the North West Territories of Canada, who

acquired Plains items and Blackfoot regalia obtained by Indian agent Cecil Denny, who was also one of the founding members of the North West Mounted Police. This last collection includes the regalia once owned by Treaty 7 signatory Issapóómahksika (or Crow Indian’s Big Foot), which was sold to the museum in 1904.

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Collection strengths are:

Africa – Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Kenya and South Africa Americas – Arctic, Subarctic, NW Coast, and Plains region of the USA, Mexico, Guatemala

and Amazonia Arab world - Oman Asia – India, Myanmar, China, Japan, Malaysia, Pacific – Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Britain, Australia, Polynesia

Many of these items were collected by residents local to the city of Exeter and the county of Devon; the majority being brought back as gifts, souvenirs and occasionally as trophies of conflict. They represent the connections made between local people and source communities in other parts of the world over the past 250 years.

Due to the significance of this material, in terms of historical, colonial and voyage contexts, the ethnography collections were awarded Designated status in 1998 by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (the scheme is now managed by Arts Council England).

Acquisitions to enhance the existing collection continued from the 20th century to the present. Priority has been given to items which improve the quality and range of existing collections. Recent donations, which include Jevan Berrangé’s donation of items from the Amazon region of Guyana and Brazil and John Lane’s donation of Yoruba adire textiles have filled gaps in style and quality.

Similarly, Jenny Balfour-Paul’s donation of barkcloth, the Elizabeth Norris donation of Asian embroidery and the Stephanie Odam donation of clothing from Oaxaca, Mexico have considerably enhanced existing material. Conall Macfarlane’s gift via the Acceptance in Lieu scheme enabled the museum to acquire a Maori mere pounamu (greenstone weapon) to replace a badly fragmented example. This replacement now features in the permanent gallery in a display of Maori material acquired mainly during the New Zealand War.

Consideration is also given to selective acquisition of items for use in developing understanding between users of the museum and communities represented by the ethnographic collections. The commissioning of new artwork such as Rosanna Raymond’s Genealogy in 2007 reflects the significance of bark cloth to Polynesian identity in the modern world. Sheila Unwin’s significant donation of East African beadwork illustrates adornment as currency, social indicator and fashion, in contrast to existing examples from the 19th century. RAMM also acquired Suzuki Mutsumi’s Golden Field of Rice (2009), a modern, vibrant artwork that reflects ancient technique with modern aesthetics, through the Art Fund Collect scheme in 2010. These items all reflect changing values through time.

Recent policy has enabled RAMM to acquire well-documented items by donation, bequest and exceptionally by purchase, where these items:

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were originally made and used by peoples in the indigenous communities of Africa, the Americas, the Pacific Islands, Australia and Asia

and have been collected by people residing or having a significant connection with Devon and Exeter.

2.5.1 Recently repatriated items

There have been unique circumstances where items formerly held by RAMM have been returned to source communities. For example, the bracelet and necklace believed to have been made by Tasmanian Aboringine Truganini were returned to Hobart, Tasmania in 1997.

2.5.2 Sacred items

Within the ethnography collections a number of items have been identified as being sacred. This material has been recognised with the assistance of source (indigenous) communities in different parts of the world

2.5.3 Ethnography handling collections

Since 2005, donations to RAMM have resulted in occasional contribution of authentic items into the ethnography handling collection. This museum educational resource is designed for public use. Recent contributions include Mexican clay spindle whorls, Aztec body stamps, Asian masks, Ghanaian kente cloth, Fijian barkcloth, Guatemalan costume and a Bogolanfini tunic from Mali.

Handling collections are not accessioned. RAMM’s Handling Collections Policy is stated later in this document - see section 6.3.3.

2.6 Natural History

RAMM’s Natural History Collections are wide in scope. Important specific collections are mentioned in the relevant groups, which are:

Botany

Zoology (vertebrates, invertebrates)

Geology (petrology, mineralogy, palaeontology)

These collections contain British and foreign material of high quality and scientific importance.

2.6.1 Botany

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The collection is a good reflection of the activities of collectors from Victorian times up to the mid 20th century. Specimens from early collectors such as D’Urban and Heirn are particularly data-rich. Both collections include local and national material. Some of Heirn’s specimens have been published in Flora of Devon (1939) by Keble Martin and Fraser. Also of note are approximately 1000 seaweed specimens bound in three volumes from the collection of Amelia Griffiths and four volumes of Algae Danmonienses published by Amelia Griffiths’ colleague Mary Wyatt.

2.6.2 Zoology

(i) Vertebrates

RAMM has a very good vertebrate collection. Birds are a particular area of strength with more than 7,500 study skins, 3,000 eggs and 2,000 mounts in the collection. The specimens are of native and exotic species with good global coverage and include those now extinct or exceedingly rare such as the kakapo, huia, ivory-billed woodpecker and passenger pigeon.

Other collections of particular interest include: 20 specimens from Ludwig Leichhardt’s expedition, collected at Port Essington, Australia in 1884, 97 moa bones and more than 1,000 eggs donated by Solomon Caesar Malan in 1878. The vertebrate collection contains approximately 1,400 mammals as taxidermy, skins or skeletons. 60 of these specimens were collected by big game hunter Charles Victor Alexander Peel including RAMM’s iconic giraffe as well as a polar bear and an African elephant. Reptiles, fish and amphibians are less well represented.

(ii) Invertebrates

RAMM’s invertebrate collections include insects, arachnids, molluscs and echinoderms. Other invertebrate groups are represented but in smaller numbers.

The molluscs number approximately 60,000 individual specimens with good global and taxonomic coverage. Individual collections of note include: the Linter collection of approximately 14,000 exotic land snails; the Montagu collection of marine snails including type specimens and a small collection (approx. 280 specimens) made by CF Hemming in Somalia circa 1950.

In 1903 the collection of Percy Sladen collection was donated to RAMM. This comprises several thousand microscope slides and fossils from the collection of WB and PH Carpenter and over 2,500 dry and wet-preserved echinoderms. Some of these echinoderms were collected on the expeditions of HMS Challenger (1872-76) and HMS Lightning (1868). Scientifically valuable microscope slides of foraminifera are among those owned by Carpenter.

RAMM has excellent British and exotic butterfly collections numbering in the region of 80,000 specimens, many of which have been consolidated (organised taxonomically rather than by collector). British beetles and spiders are also an area of collection strength.

2.6.3 GeologyThe collections are strong in specimens from Devon and the South West of England, together with intermittent world wide coverage.

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(i) Petrology

The strength of the collection is largely limited to the dominant granite and its thermally metamorphosed aureole rocks together with the Exeter Volcanic Rocks.

(ii) Mineralogy

Mineralogical specimens from the South West of England are well represented in the collections, with considerable amounts of foreign material.

(iii) Palaeontology

The palaeontology collections are extensive, with particularly important material from the local Cretaceous, Pleistocene and Triassic systems.

2.7 Antiquities

The Antiquities collections cover a wide field which divides naturally into a number of areas. Summaries of some of the most important collections are given in each section. The collection comprises:

Local archaeology

Architectural fittings

Local history

Numismatics (coins, tokens and medals)

Foreign archaeology

2.7.1 Local archaeology

The collection is the largest and most important in Devon. Approximately 42,750 accession records refer to Devon and Exeter archaeology. Many of these records refer to group accessions (for example, one accession number may cover a box of many pot sherds) so the actual number of objects is significantly higher. There are an estimated 450,000 prehistoric, 40,000 Roman, 60,000 medieval and 60,000 post-medieval artefacts, together with over 500,000 animal bones from Roman, medieval and early modern deposits.

(i) Exeter archaeology

For a small city Exeter has been the subject of a huge amount of archaeological attention. The results of this work are deposited at RAMM. The archaeological holdings reflect the history of Exeter: from Roman military origins, a Roman civilian phase, post-Roman decline, Anglo-Saxon

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renewal, medieval growth, a Tudor and Stuart ‘Golden Age’ to a less prominent but prosperous Georgian and Victorian period.

Prehistoric evidence from Exeter is relatively sparse, although as development occurs on the margins of the city some significant finds have been uncovered.

The Roman collection includes finds made in the 19th century, the finds of the Devon Archaeological Exploration Society in the 1930s, Lady Fox in the 1940s to 1960s and, since 1970, dwarfing earlier collections, Exeter Archaeology. This includes a major ceramics collection and a significant series of small finds. Exeter’s Roman Legionary Bath-House is of national importance.

The medieval and post-medieval holdings, mostly excavated in Exeter since 1970, form an extremely fine collection. Exeter has one of Britain's leading ceramics collections in this field, with major groups of glass, metal small finds, wooden objects, leather and bone objects. The collection attracts international interest.

(ii) Devon archaeology

Historically, RAMM has collected archaeological material from the whole of Devon; however, since the 1990s RAMM has cooperated with other museums in the area to agree collecting areas. Between 2005 and 2010, RAMM pursued an active policy to acquire archaeological finds from prehistory to the post-medieval period, whether excavated or chance finds, from our collecting area. This comprises the Local Authority areas of Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge, plus the eastern half of Dartmoor and the South Hams. (see Appendix B)

Prehistoric collections include palaeolithic handaxes from Broom; mesolithic finds from Westward Ho!, mesolithic and neolithic flint collections from Dartmoor, the North Devon coast and East Devon, the finds from the excavations at Hembury, Hazard Hill, Haldon and High Peak, which are crucial to an understanding of the neolithic in the South West; the principal finds from bronze age barrows in East Devon and others from Dartmoor and North Devon; most of the county's bronze age metalwork; and the iron age finds from Hembury, Seaton, Coffinswell and Blackbury Castle. Two large collections of fieldwalked flints, by Nan Pearce from Stockland and John Uglow from the Exe Valley, have potential for analysing prehistoric landscapes.

RAMM holds most of the Roman material from rural Devon, notably from the county’s military sites, such as Tiverton, Honiton and Topsham and civil settlements, notably Holcombe Villa, Seaton, Topsham and Axminster.

RAMM collections contain important medieval and post-medieval finds from Devon towns such as: Topsham, Totnes, Ottery St Mary, Exmouth, Colyton as well as medieval church sites at Newenham Abbey, Exmouth, Stockland. There is further evidence from medieval settlements on Dartmoor

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There are significant holdings from some of Devon’s fine Tudor houses such as Dartington Hall and a large collection of decorative plasterwork from Berry Pomeroy Castle.

RAMM holds the archives of field records, site plans, photographs, etc., relating to sites from both Exeter and Devon.

In 2011 RAMM ceased to accept any archaeological archive deposits. This decision was taken in order to allow the museum to re-examine the nature, extent and sustainability of our collecting activity in light of future challenges.

2.7.2 Architectural fittings

The collections include important architectural fragments from city buildings dating from around 950-1800, some of them large items such as doorways, windows and ceilings. The best examples have regional and national importance as a record of building styles and methods, many of which have been lost during recent development. As with the archaeology collections they form an important element in the sense of place of a locality.

Items of particular note are an Anglo-Saxon granite cross shaft, a carved and painted wooden figure of St Peter, fragments of decorative plasterwork from houses in Exeter and Devon, and some fine examples of marbled and grained panels by the Exeter maker John Bradley. There is also a nationally important collection of late medieval ecclesiastical woodwork fragments from churches of the South West collected by Exeter-based Harry Hems.

2.7.3 Local history

Items relating to the social and industrial history of Exeter form an important and much-used area of the museum's collections. These objects reflect the history of Exeter and its region from the 17th century onwards. They include artefacts relating to the city's institutions (the defences, religious institutions, the Guildhall, firefighting, the water supply for example), its foreign and regional trade (with highly important material from the operation of the custom port of Exeter), its industries, domestic life and topography (the last including a series of city models ranging in date from c.1820 to the 1970s).

2.7.4 Numismatics

The coin collection comprises:

(i) Prehistoric, Roman, medieval and later coins found within the museum's collection area. This includes a number of significant hoards (most notably the iron age Cotleigh hoard, the late Roman Honiton hoard, Byzantine coins found by the River Otter, the Loxbeare hoard of Short Cross pennies and the Chudleigh hoard of gold Unites). There are significant antiquarian coin find collections, particularly those of W.T.F. Shortt and the Norton collection. These two are of note as they contain a number ancient Greek, Syrian, Egyptian and other eastern Mediterranean coins and Exeter has the highest number of these finds in the UK. More recent finds of coins from controlled excavations are of great importance in site interpretation.

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(ii) Coins, tokens medals and paranumismatica issued in Devon. The most important elements here are the very fine systematic collection of the silver pennies struck at Devon's four Saxon and Norman mints (Exeter, Barnstaple, Totnes and Lydford), which includes some great rarities, and the sequence of Exeter's Civil War coinage. There are also good collections of Devon tradesmen's tokens of the 17th and 18th centuries, local medals, pub checks and badges, and a small collection of local banknotes.

(iii) The museum also holds a representative selection of typical British coins of Saxon to modern date. Quality is mixed.

(iv) A small collection of Classical coins.

2.7.5 Foreign archaeology

RAMM has collections of prehistoric European, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Cypriot, Etruscan and Roman material, the majority of which was collected in the 19th and very early 20th centuries. The core of the collection is formed by the Cobham collection of Cypriot antiquities, the Corkill collection of Mesopotamian cylinder seals and the L.A.D. Montague collection. The latter is a good example of a gentleman’s antiquities collection, mostly purchased from dealers and including a Greek hoplite helmet said to be from the Battle of Marathon.

Other items include artefacts from many of the noted 19th and early 20th century archaeological excavations including: Spiennes, St Acheul, Swiss Lakes Villages, Babylon, Ur, Umma, Hissarlik, Pompeii, Volsinii, El-Hawawish, Akhmim and several sites excavated by the Egypt Exploration Fund.

As well as Claude Delaval Cobham, Norman Lace Corkill and L.A.D. Montague the collections contain material associated with Flinders Petrie, Leonard Woolley, Sir John Evans, Heinrich Schliemann, Giovanni Belzoni, W.S.M. D’Urban, Greville Chester.

Individual objects of interest include: the mummy of Shep en-Mut, a late 18th dynasty stone sculpture head possibly Tutankhamun or Horemheb, Coptic textiles and the hoplite helmet.

3. Collections Review 2011–13: Summary of findings

Between 2011 and 2013 RAMM undertook a root-and-branch review of its collections. By assessing immediately accessible information on provenance, significance and usage, the review objectively identified collections strengths and weaknesses and informed the themes and priorities for future collecting and disposal which make up the current policy.

Full details of RAMM’s award-winning collections review methodology are available in a separate document. A summary is available on RAMM’s website: http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/collections/collections-review

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As part of the collections review, detailed findings and analysis were brought together in an internal report. The section that follows is a broad overview of the key points in relation to each main subject area1.

Important: It should be noted that the Collections Review Preliminary Assessment, based on a ‘desktop’ assessment of the collections archive, considered the quality of immediately accessible information on provenance, significance and usage rather than collections’ intrinsic quality.

3.1 Fine Art

The 2012 Collections Review Preliminary Assessment appears to confirm the strength and quality of RAMM’s collection of paintings from all periods. In addition, 16th to 18th and 19th century drawings performed relatively strongly.

Collections that performed more modestly in the preliminary assessment included sculpture, prints from the 16th to 19th centuries and 20th century drawings.

The weaker performing parts of the fine art collection, according to the preliminary assessment findings, included photographs, 20th century prints and a large collection of prints and drawings for which no date was recorded in the collections archive.

3.2 Decorative Art (excluding Costume and textiles)2

The 2012 collections review preliminary assessment confirms the strength of RAMM’s collections of silver, horology and British and studio ceramics. In addition, glass and the small collection of musical instruments performed strongly.

Decorative art collections that performed more modestly in the preliminary assessment included toys, dolls and games, firearms, arms and armour, metalwork (excluding silver) and foreign ceramics.

The review noted that a number of South West museums hold large ceramics collections. The curator of art commented that RAMM’s collection of foreign ceramics comprises ‘typical rather than outstanding examples of type’.3

The weaker performing parts of the decorative art collection included some rather disparate groups of publications, personal ephemera (the latter often relating to key collectors) and personal objects. The furniture collection and small group of woodwork items also performed weakly.

3.3 Costume and textiles4

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The collections review preliminary assessment, based on the collections archive, confirms the strength of RAMM’s collections of lace and other textiles. A group of more than 500 fashion plates and illustrations was another strong performer, alongside equipment and materials and accessories for the head or face (mainly hats and hair ornaments).

As a whole, the costume and textile collections performed less strongly in the preliminary assessment than other elements of decorative arts.

Costume collections that performed more modestly include dress, personal objects and ornaments and periodical publications – RAMM holds a large selection of back issues of Vogue, for example.

The weaker performing parts of the costume and textile collection, according to the preliminary assessment findings, were gloves, shoes and hosiery, uniforms, outerwear and protective wear including shawls, underwear and nightwear, non-dress main garments and miscellaneous accessories.

3.4 Ethnography

The 2012 collections review preliminary assessment confirms the strength of RAMM’s ethnographic collections from Polynesia, Melanesia and Australia. These are closely followed by moderately strong collections from West and East Africa and East Asia.

Collections that performed more modestly in the preliminary assessment included those from Micronesia, Southern and Central Africa, South East Asia and North America.

None of RAMM’s ethnographic collections performed particularly weakly in the preliminary assessment, with the exception of the South American material. In addition to the South American collection, those appearing towards the lower end of the scale in this collections archive-based assessment were North Africa, Central America and South Asia.

3.5 Natural History

The 2012 collections review preliminary assessment confirms that RAMM’s Natural History collection is strong in Microscope slides, Photographs and Plants, closely followed by Molluscs.

Collections that performed modestly well in the preliminary assessment included Echinoderms, Mammals and Lepidoptera.

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Collections achieving an average (median) performance included Birds; Triassic and Permian fossils; Palaeocene and Holocene fossils, Minerals, Rocks and Reptiles.

Towards the lower end of the scale, in this collections-archive based assessment, were Fish, Arthropods, Coleoptera and Amphibians. Many of the fossil groups also appeared towards the lower end of the scale.

3.6 Antiquities

The 2012 collections review preliminary assessment confirms the strength of the Exeter Archaeology excavated during the 1945-1990 period and the Devon Numismatics collection. Devon Social and Industrial History also performed strongly.

Devon and Exeter Archaeology excavated before 1945, and Foreign Archaeology, were also in the top half of the Antiquities ‘performance’ table.

The collections that performed more modestly in the preliminary assessment included Exeter Archaeology excavated since 1990, Devon Archaeology excavated during the 1970s and ‘80s, and Architectural fragments.

Collections appearing toward the lower end of the scale were Devon Archaeology excavated between 1945 and 1969 and Numismatics whose provenance was unclear at the time of the ‘desktop’ assessment. The weakest performing collection was Devon Archaeology excavated since 1990.

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4. Collections Development Plans

The response to the 2012 Preliminary Collections Assessment included the formulation of a Collections Development Plan for each collection. The plan set out the actions necessary to increase collections knowledge and maximise the public benefit of under-used parts of collections. The collections development plans form the basis of work plans for the coming few years.

4.1 Fine ArtPriority work on the Fine Art collection will focus on improving understanding of approximately 1600 prints and drawings for which no date was recorded in the immediate collections archive in 2012. Almost half of this material involves natural history subject matter, with the majority being botanical in nature.

(i) East India Company botanical drawings

In 2013, a national expert in botanical prints and drawings was commissioned to review and research this material. The resultant report opens up possibilities for increased public engagement with these pieces in the future.

A set of 80 botanical drawings was donated by the Cresswell family to RAMM in 1927. Initially held as herbarium archival material, their importance and rarity has only come to light with the Collections Review.

Many of these drawings are of high quality and obviously attractive but they are also historically significant. By Indian artists, they were commissioned by the British East India Company, probably under the supervision of the Calcutta Botanic Garden. In the late 18th and early 19th century the Company set out to record the complete flora of India for the advancement of botanical science and for commercial exploitation. RAMM’s set of drawings relate to several printed publications of the time, including Plants of the Coast of Coromandel, Hortus Bengalensis and Flora Indica. As far as is known, RAMM is the only non-national UK collection to hold original drawings from this group, the others being at Kew, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum.

(ii) Further development priorities for the existing Fine Art collection

deepening documentation for 19th century portrait prints, posters and miniatures conservation work on miniatures developing opportunities for improving public access to prints and drawings (undated

group, 2012), David Roberts Prints (Egypt series, see below), 20th century posters (see below) and prints and miniatures (see below

(iii) David Roberts prints

RAMM is fortunate in having a complete set of 240 lithographs of David Robert’s travels in Egypt and the Holy Land. This is one of the few richly hand-coloured first editions in a UK public collection. Roberts (1796-1864), a leading topographical artist, toured the Middle East in 1838-39 and the prints were published between 1842 and 1849. These are widely regarded as the most important pictorial record of the region from the era of 19th century ‘romantic topography’ and as some of the technically finest lithographs ever made. They also played a crucial role in the

expansion of tourism in Egypt following the Napoleonic wars and the early excavations of Belzoni and others.

(iii) 20th century posters:

RAMM has a collection of about 60 posters from the ‘golden age’ of modernist graphic art (1920s – 1940s). Largely from a single private collection, donated in 1988, these include iconic examples by leading designers of the era, including Edward McKnight Kauffer, Tom Purvis and Anna Zinkheisen. Virtually none have been on public display at RAMM. As far as is known, this is the only significant collection of its type in the region. Most of these are in good condition with little fading and are now extremely rare.

4.2 Decorative Art

Priority work on the Decorative Art collection (excluding Costume and textiles) will include the selective transfer and disposal of furniture not connected to major RAMM donor Kent Kingdom.

Further priorities for 2013-2018 include:

deepening understanding of RAMM’s firearms, arms and armour, including reviewing these in the context of collections elsewhere

selective transfer or disposal of European ceramics.

4.3 Costume and Textiles

Improving the quality and depth of information in the accessible collections archive will be an important area of work for parts of the costume collection in 2013-2018.

As part of the collections development plan for Costume and Textiles, a national expert in shawls and stoles was commissioned to research and improve our understanding of 135 shawls and stoles of Indian and European manufacture5.

Further priorities include:

deepening and making accessible the documentation for the costume collection as a whole, and gloves, shoes and hosiery in particular

improving public access to shawls and stoles, as a result of expert research and review, improving public access to gloves, shoes and hosiery as a result of expert research and

review and deeper, more accessible documentation conserving and improving storage of photographs, albums and the Southcott and Herbert

archives.

4.4 Ethnography

As part of the collections development plan for Ethnography, a series of specialist external consultancies were commissioned to improve understanding of areas of the collection which have recently been less well-used. These assessments reviewed:

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Weapons, shields, body ornaments and textiles from Ethiopia and Somalia6

Central American costume 7

Personal ornaments, clothing and textiles and mica paintings from India8

19th century Chinese texts.9

The resultant reports open up possibilities for further research and increased public engagement with these collections in the future, including:

(i) Chinese texts: further specialist research into scientific books written in Chinese by Western authors (late 19th and early 20th centuries); an 18th century set of books on Chinese coins; the first Chinese language newspaper published in Hong Kong and a copy of the ‘Bowring Treaty’ printed in the Chinese language (possibly unique).

(ii) India collection: further research into a Mysore photograph album with carved cover, possibly unique in the UK and a man’s robe or choga, which is directly linked to the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58; interpretation of items including a Tibetan woman’s outfit from Darjeeling (themes of identity and displacement) and personal ornaments (theme of protection). A number of paintings on cloth, featuring Krishna and the Gopis (cowherds) are not felt to be artistically or historically important but can be used as a storytelling device.

(iii) Central American textiles: further research into male garments described as ‘gaucho’ to determine whether from Mexico or Argentina; research into embroidered leather coat; study days for NADFAS, Embroiderers’ Guild, Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.

(iv) Further priorities identified in the collections development plan

Ensuring object information is captured fully, accurately and consistently on RAMM’s collections database, across all of the ethnographic collections

Continued liaison with legitimate source communities and fair representation in the interpretation

Research and evaluation of Blackfoot collection (North America), with active participation of representatives from Blackfoot nation in Canada. Funding from the Leverhulme Trust has been secured to carry out a major programme with national and international partners between 2013 -14.

The Fiji Art Research project (Arts and Humanties Research Council-funded programme) enables RAMM to better interpret this underused collection (18 items displayed out of 131 items).

Projects to increase public engagement with material reviewed by specialist consultants (Ethiopia, Somalia, Central America, South Asia, China).

Targeted research and review of material from Sudan, South America, Melanesia and Micronesia (some of the low-scoring groups in preliminary assessment).

Exhibition proposal development involving Central and South American material (low-scoring groups) with external partners such as National Museums Liverpool and Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford.

4.5 Natural History

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Two specialist external consultancies have improved understanding of areas of the collection which have recently been less well-used:

Jurassic fossils whose provenance or significance was unclear at the time of preliminary assessment 10

A further 1000 fossil specimens whose geological period or significance was unclear at the time of the preliminary assessment. These included 110 fossils collected by one donor, Miss J E Linter (1844-1909).11

The resultant reports open up possibilities for further research and increased public engagement with these collections in the future.

Further priorities identified in the collections development plan for Natural History are:

Further review of Geology collections, in particular Devonian, Carboniferous, Cretaceous, Cambrian, Ordovician and Silurian fossils.

Assessment of the provenance and condition of more than 2000 spirit-preserved specimens. Remedial conservation of important specimens in order to make this material more accessible and usable

Document Arthropods donated by Dave Bolton in order to create a reference collection for study and public enquiries

Improve documentation of Fish and Invertebrates.

4.6 Antiquities

Priorities identified in the collections development plan for Antiquities are:

Link collections database records for Devon Archaeology since 1990 to archaeological reports and research, Archaeological Data Service (ADS) and Devon Heritage Environment Record (HER)

Increase digital access to Devon archaeology through projects such as Moor Stories and Time Trail

Correct documentation for local numismatics objects that have been mis-identified as non-local

Significance assessment of Roman coins by external expert Expert appraisal of antiquarian numismatic paperwork to discover any links to RAMM’s

collections Link collections database records for Devon Archaeology 1945-1969 to archaeological

reports, published references and research and HER records Link collections database records for Exeter Archaeology since 1990 to information held on

file, paper documentation and published research Research by external specialist into local production and patterns of trade in clay pipes Formulate a collection and rationalisation strategy for clay pipes Link collections database records for Devon Archaeology 1970-1989 to archaeological

reports, research and HER records

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Correct documentation to separate Social and Industrial History items with local connections from those that don’t

Link collections database records for Architectural Fragments to information held on file, paper documentation and published research

Specialist research into Hems collection of ecclesiastical woodwork to establish exact provenances

Crowd-sourcing project to identify Hems material in local churches Link collections database records for Foreign Archaeology to information held in paper

documentation, research and publications Further research into Cypriot and Greek ceramics Research into human and animal mummies Research into Egyptian lithics Continue to add research on Cypriot and Greek collections to websites and blog Link collections database records for pre-1945 Exeter Archaeology to information held on

file and published research Research into animal bone assemblages from archaeological sites Research into analysis and interpretation of flint scatters found in Devon Research into the development of Devon towns through their archaeology

As one of the high priority projects within the Collections Development Plan for Antiquities, RAMM is piloting an online research prospectus.12 This sets out to link the museum’s less well-known research collections directly with researchers and academics in universities and research institutions.

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5. Plans for use of existing collections

5.1 Fine Art

The East India Company drawings, David Roberts prints and 20th century posters are being considered as exhibition material. In each case, public display will be planned in conjunction with improved documentation and photography following a further research phase (particularly in the case of the East India Company drawings which offer opportunities to develop partnerships with groups such as the Royal Botanic Gardens and Royal Horticultural Society).

5.2 Costume and TextilesThe Costume and textiles collection is frequently the subject of research by students and volunteers. The collection has been re-housed in purpose built storage and is being re-organised and re-packaged to improve accessibility.

Continuing in-house and external research is important. Work on the database and digital media will enable improved dissemination of the collections.

There are plans for online exhibitions, engagement activities, training and community workshops as well as for progressing partnership projects. Proposals are being developed for exhibitions in the main galleries and rotation of current displays.

5.3 Ethnography

The Collections Development Plan (see section 4) has captured part of the work that is needed. There is potential for developing many other parts of the collection, even those that have scored highly in the Review but have been little used because of a lack of opportunity for collections research leading to limited interpretation. Examples include African beadwork and the Melanesia collection.

5.4 Natural HistoryPriorities for future use of RAMM’s Natural History collections during 2013-18 include:

Following review and treatment of spirit-preserved material, add specimens to RAMM’s online collections database, Collections Explorer. Explore potential for display and loan of these specimens.

Public engagement work with the Sladen Collection, linked to Devon’s marine environment Increased use of Geology collection for learning and engagement.

5.5 Antiquities

Priorities for future use of RAMM’s Antiquities collections during 2013-18 include:

Recent Exeter Archaeology:

Include on Time Trail website and SW Collections Explorer online database Proposed exhibitions on Devon in the Roman World and Exeter Bodies Collections research prospectus

Devon Archaeology:

Moor Stories web access project, partnering with the University of Exeter Exhibition proposal on Roman Britain / Europe Collections research prospectus

Architectural fragments:

Include material on Moor Stories, Church Detective, Time Trail websitesForeign Archaeology:

As above, continue to add research on Greek and Cypriot collections to website and blog.

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6. Themes and priorities for future collecting

6.1 General principles

Our approach to collecting is shaped by our organisational purpose and values and our responsibility to manage collections ethically, legally and effectively, within the resources available and in line with the distinctive character of our museum, always for the public benefit.

We collect in accordance with 10 general principles:

6.1.1. We collect strategically and ethically, in order to further our organisational purpose.

6.1.2. Acquisitions should contribute to the exploration of themes, issues, events or people important to the natural and cultural history of Exeter, set within its regional and national context, or the city and the region’s connections across the world.

6.1.3. As part of the process of considering an item for the collection, we take into account the potential of the item to stimulate discussion and new perspectives and to help personalise the making of meaning.

6.1.4. We take a focussed, responsive approach to collecting, within the resources available to us.

6.1.5. Whilst we emphasise the interconnectivity and diversity of our content, we do not aspire to build a comprehensive collection covering all areas of material culture.

6.1.6. We balance further collecting with the imperative to better understand and make use of existing collections.

6.1.7. In considering an item for our collection, we take into account the need for collections information, collections care and collections access.

6.1.8. We seek to fill gaps in our collection only where this will strengthen existing collections themes, enrich visitor experience, or contribute to opportunities for discussion and debate.

6.1.9. We will acquire an object only if it has clear potential for display, interpretation, research, learning, access or outreach.

6.1.10. We will not acquire material whose care and conservation needs are out of proportion to its potential for display, interpretation, research, learning or outreach.

Relevance to RAMM

6.1.11. The museum’s collections staff must demonstrate that a proposed acquisition has significance and value to RAMM because it is consistent with the general principles above.

The Subject Statements (pp22-31) outline the current position and specific themes and priorities for each subject area.

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6.2 Themes and priorities for future collecting: Subject statements

6.2.1 Fine Art

Selective acquisitions may be made on the basis of the established collection themes set down in 2.2. A particular focus for the next five years will be:

(i) Nicholas HilliardA particular artist who should be represented in the collections is Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619), an important miniaturist born in Exeter. His work commands prices far beyond the normal resources of the museum and special efforts would have to be made to acquire a work if the opportunity arose.

(ii) Portrait miniatures by Devon artistsFour of the most important artists in the history of the portrait miniature were Devonian – Hilliard and the 18th century contemporaries, Richard Cosway, Richard Crosse and Ozias Humphry. Though their careers were based in the capital, each maintained strong connections to the South West and secured numerous commissions in the region. RAMM’s collections do not adequately represent their achievements: there are no works by Hilliard, none by Humphry, a single small format miniature by Crosse, and only a single miniature by Cosway (acquired in 2010). Surprisingly, Cosway and Crosse are both represented by oil portraits – a self-portrait of each and a full length by Cosway of the young Sir Henry Carew of Tiverton in Van Dyck costume.

(iii) Contemporary art collecting is dealt with in a separate section (see p29)

6.2.2 Decorative ArtSelective acquisitions may be made on the basis of the established collection themes set down in in 2.3. A particular focus for the next five years will be:(i) Silver with a Exeter or Devon association

(ii) Filling gaps in British ceramics collection, including 20th-century and contemporary potters

(iii) Filling gaps in horology collection.

6.2.3 Costume and Textiles

(i) Costume items with strong local provenance and which fill gaps in existing collection (Exeter and Devon); Early Devon-made pieces; designers/makers with a local connection (all periods)

(ii) European lace items which fill gaps in existing collection: Early pieces, particularly Devon-made; 16th and 17th-century Continental laces.

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6.2.4 Ethnography

(i) A historic photographic archive relating to the collection to aid in interpretation.

(ii) The specialist assessment of Central American textiles suggested several potential additions that would fill gaps in this particular collection: a contemporary blouse from Mexico or Guatemala, woven hair cords from Guatemala and a quechquemitl (closed shoulder cape) a contemporary spindle, samples of work incorporating brown cotton and pieces using the techniques of gauze-woven cloth, ikat (tie-dyed) thread and embroidery.

(iii) Due to the Designated nature of RAMM’s World Cultures collection, there are exceptional circumstances in which the museum may act as an externally approved repository of last resort for ethnographic items with no Devon or Exeter connection.

(iv) Items of religious significance, items of power and items that were proven to be acquired unethically will be treated individually to reflect the concerns of their source communities. Sacred items will only be acquired if there is strong provenance and it causes no offence for the museum to care for them. Such objects will be acquired, displayed or made accessible in a manner which respects the belief systems of those communities.

(v) The following collections will not be subject to further collecting between 2014 and 2019:

collections which have been accessed and commented on by specialists and where no strength has been highlighted.

6.2.5 Natural History

General principles for Natural History collecting

(i) In addition to legal restraints on collecting natural history material, i.e. wildlife protection legislation (see Section 11 ‘Acquisition Prodecures’), RAMM undertakes always to observe good conservation practice when collecting.

(ii) RAMM recognises the importance of fieldwork to collect natural history material. In the past, natural history specimens have been collected by fieldwork, particularly from within Exeter and surrounding areas. In 2013-18, in a national context of public funding constraint, RAMM is unlikely to be in a position to undertake its own fieldwork. The museum will instead seek to acquire appropriate local specimens resulting from fieldwork undertaken by third parties.

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(iii) RAMM will continue to accept appropriate acquisitions by donation or bequest, or from third-party fieldwork. As a general rule RAMM will only actively seek locally relevant and well provenanced material (known collector, collection location and date). Local relevance for natural history specimens is considered in geographical terms – Devon, Exeter - or from a historical perspective (local collector, collector relevant to RAMM and its history, or local historical event).

(iv) Foreign material will be considered if of very good quality and if it complements RAMM’s existing collections.

(v) New acquisitions should not duplicate existing material unless particularly noteworthy or intended to replace poor quality specimens.

(vi) Consultation will be undertaken with Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery and other Accredited museums in the South West region wherever appropriate.

6.2.5.2 Botany

(i) Future collecting will aim to stay abreast of taxonomic developments within indigenous taxa.

(ii) Foreign material may be accepted where it complements existing collections, e.g. economic botany, such as vegetable substances.

(iii) Objects with a particular geographical association beyond Exeter but within Devon will only be acquired following consultation with relevant museums.

(iv) RAMM will actively collect wild species new to Devon, including spreading UK natives and ‘alien’ introductions.

(v) RAMM will actively seek historic and modern specimens to provide voucher coverage (reference specimens) for Devon.

6.2.5.3 Zoology

Vertebrates

(i) The aim of future collecting is to build up a comprehensive collection of British vertebrate fauna with emphasis on specimens from Devon and adjoining counties, and to strengthen the foreign material.

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(ii) Historic foreign vertebrate material will only be acquired to build on existing collection strengths.

(iii) Of modern British vertebrate material, little can be collected in the field and some purchased. Most will be acquired by obtaining animals killed accidentally or collected under licence for research purposes.

(iv) To avoid duplication, the collection will be developed in consultation with other museums which are following a similar programme of active acquisition. For material beyond the county of Devon, consultation will be with Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.

(v) In 2013 -18 RAMM will pursue examples of the following vertebrate material:

Birds & mammals – actively collect locally significant material and modern research material collected under licence.

Reptiles & amphibians – actively collect locally relevant examples of native and introduced species that occur in Devon in order to produce a reference collection (6 out of 7 amphibians and 4 out of 6 reptiles that are native to the UK are found in Devon). RAMM seeks to replace existing poorly preserved examples already held in the collection.

Fish – locally relevant skeletal material.

Invertebrates

(vi) The focus of future collecting will be British invertebrates. Collecting will be through fieldwork by third parties.

(vii) Only exceptionally will foreign invertebrate material be collected.

(viii) Consultation will be with Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, and Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.

(ix) RAMM is actively seeking to increase the following invertebrate collections:

Echinoderms – actively seeking to acquire preparations that have been missing from Sladen’s Study for many years. Also looking to fill gaps in the British echinoderm collection, particularly with Devon specimens.

Molluscs – Actively seeking to fill gaps in existing British freshwater, terrestrial and marine collections with Devon specimens (where possible), as well as collecting examples of new species to the county.

Arthropods – RAMM holds very diverse arthropod collections and seeks to fill gaps in many areas. The following are areas of particular interest:

a) spiders – wet preserved specimens of British species. Ideally the collection should focus on local specimens and include examples of both sexes. Species new to Devon are also desired. A list detailing gaps in this collection can be supplied on request.

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b) insects – actively seeking specimens of local relevance to fill gaps in the consolidated British collections and as voucher specimens. Species new to Devon and colour variants are of particular interest. Well-provenanced foreign butterflies which fill gaps in the existing collection may be considered.

6.2.5.4 Geology

(i) The aim of future collecting is to build up reference material with particular emphasis on Devon examples. Good quality material for teaching and handling collections is also sought.

(ii) Areas of particular interest to RAMM in 2014-2019 are:

a) specimens from the World Heritage coast

b) specimens, particularly Triassic reptiles, from the Otter Sandstone near Sidmouth and material from other Permian / Triassic sources in the South West (Torbay / Somerset).

Petrology

(iii) The aim of future petrology collecting is to build up reference material with particular emphasis on Devon examples. Only well-documented significant local material will be collected and this work will be carried out in consultation with museums in the geographical area and those holding related collections.

(iv) There is some scope for the collection of other local igneous rocks to fill parts of the geological history of Devon.

(v) There is scope for building up a systematic collection of sedimentary rocks to illustrate the stratigraphy of the county and link with the local fossil collection.

(vi) There may be a case for acquiring one or more simple, good quality petrological microscopes and thin section (slides) of local rocks for use with visitors.

Mineralogy

(vii) Additions to the mineralogy collection are likely to be limited to donated material from South West sources rather than direct collection.

(viii) Mineralogical material related to industrial use would be appropriate, including the redevelopment of the Hemerdon Tungsten prospect.

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(ix) A good sequence of material to update the collection from the Bovey Tracy ball clay deposits would be useful.

(x) Mineralogy collecting will be carried out in consultation with Royal Cornwall Museum, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, the Museum of Somerset and Dorset County Museum.

Palaeontology

(xi) The aim of future palaeontological collecting is to fill gaps in the reference collections, particularly related to material from the World Heritage Coast (in co-operation with other interested Accredited museums).

(xii) Microfossils are important in parts of the Devonian and Carboniferous: Conodonts (tooth-like assemblages now known to belong to an animal), Acritarchs (spores of plants), Ostracods (minute crustaceans). These microfossils are preserved in sedimentary rocks where macrofossils are absent or unsuitable for correlation. The preparation and extraction of these fossils requires specialist treatment, but local examples, for example from academic sources, would be useful for display purposes.

Geology handling collections

(xiii) In order to build a more extensive Geology handling and loans collection, RAMM will acquire specimens from within Devon to improve the range and quality of well-documented, accessible, scientifically interesting items. Items for the handling collection will not be accessioned.

6.2.5.5 Standards and criteria for Natural History collecting

(i) Any new acquisition must comply with current legislation. This includes, but is not limited to:

CITES - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 Human Tissue Act, 2004 Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971 Protection of Birds Act, 1954 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981

(ii) Specimens should be identified to species level and herbarium specimens should be mounted.

(iii) Zoology

Vertebrates

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Specimens will usually only be accepted if already prepared as taxidermy, skins, skeletons or preserved in spirit.

- Birds & mammals - all preservation types considered

- Reptiles & amphibians – all preservation types considered.

- Fish – locally relevant skeletal material will be considered.

Invertebrates

Specimens should be identified to species level and appropriately housed and preserved.

Echinoderms – dried and wet preserved specimens will be considered.

Molluscs – specimens preferably dried, but wet preserved specimens will be considered.

Arthropods – spiders – wet preserved specimens.

- insects – papered (ie. un-set or un-mounted) butterflies and moths will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

(iv) Geology

Only well-documented, significant local material will be considered for addition.

6.2.5.6 Natural History areas not subject to further collecting in 2014 - 2019

Some areas of RAMM’s natural history collections are not being developed. It is unlikely that RAMM will add to them, except where the acquisition would be of exceptional relevance to RAMM, local people or to the local area. Areas which are not a priority for collecting in 2013-2018 are:

Fish – prepared as taxidermy, casts or preserved in spirit. Marine invertebrates (excluding molluscs and echinoderms) – RAMM does not seek to

duplicate the excellent collection held by Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. Microscope slides Magic lantern slides, photographs and glass plate negatives depicting natural subjects –

will only be accepted if they are of direct relevance to RAMM’s collections. Publications – will only be considered if particularly old, rare or of direct relevance to RAMM

and its collections. Notebooks and journals – RAMM will only accept collecting and field notes that directly

relate to specimens present in the collection or that relate to one of RAMM’s important historic donors. Offers of other biological records will be referred to an appropriate biological records centre.

6.2.6 Antiquities

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6.2.6.1 Local archaeology

(i) RAMM will consider acquiring items of non-professionally recovered archaeology. Where archaeologically significant local items are offered, which are not classed as treasure, the Museum may acquire them subject to the circumstances of their recovery. If they have been responsibly recovered, for example accidental finds from back gardens, are well provenanced and the donor has clear title, they may be accepted. In all cases acquisition of such items will be subject to consideration of condition, contextual information and relevance to the collections. Where the Museum wishes to acquire a find classed as treasure (as defined in the 1996 Treasure Act) it will follow the procedures as set out in the Treasure Act Code of Practice (see Treasure Act Code of Practice, paragraph 60).

(ii) RAMM will work with neighbouring museums (Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Torquay Museum, Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon) to ensure that collection activity is not duplicated. Where a museum has long-standing collections interest it is recognised that the museum should maintain that collecting practice. For instance, Torquay as a repository for palaeolithic material from caves sites or RAMM as a repository for mesolithic sites of the North Devon coast.

(iii) RAMM does not collect archaeological material from outside Devon.

(iv) Developer funded archaeology (see Appendix B for full details)

RAMM is the coordinating museum for developer funded archaeological archives for the Local Authority areas of Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge, plus the eastern half of Dartmoor and the South Hams. (see Appendix B for full list of parishes).

RAMM will no longer seek to hold all of a site archive from a developer funded archaeological excavations from within the collecting area. The museum will work with the planning archaeologist and contracting unit to aid with the formation of a site archive. The time taken by the museum to contribute to the formation of the archive will be charged to developers.

Only artefacts of an exceptional nature will be accessioned into the museum collections. The remaining material will be subject to agreed sampling and disposal strategies and the resulting archive will be placed into deep storage off site. This will be at the expense of the developer. Any artefacts accessioned into RAMM will be subject to a one-off box fee that will be increased on an annual basis to reflect increasing overhead costs and inflation.

RAMM will no longer accept the paperwork associated with a developer funded archaeological excavation. Contracting units will be asked to deposit a digital archive with the Archaeology Data Service hosted by the University of York.

6.2.6.2 Architectural fittings

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(i) The Museum strongly discourages the removal of historic architectural fittings from their original buildings. However, in circumstances where such pieces will certainly be removed, or already have been removed, ecclesiastical or secular woodwork with Devon provenances will be acquired by purchase, gift or bequest, subject to their historic importance and with consultation with relevant local museums outside Exeter. Items relating to Harry Hems and his workshop are of particular interest.

(ii) It is not realistic for RAMM to collect large architectural items owing to storage constraints. If the museum becomes aware of endangered architectural items, the Local Authority Archaeologist and Historic Environment Record will be contacted. Where practicable, attempts will be made to find alternative homes for significant items.

6.2.6.3 Local history

(i) Only items with a unique local Exeter association or origin will be considered as additions to this collection.

(ii) RAMM does not undertake so-called ‘contemporary collecting’ - the collecting of a representative sample of contemporary goods and objects in use in Exeter today.

(iii) We will work with other museums in the region to ensure that Devon’s unique social history is reflected in museum collections. Torquay Museum has an especially good collection of 18th and 19th century rural Devon items, while Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery has a large and broad ranging social history collection, including many more contemporary objects. The full network of Devon Museums can be accessed at www.devonmuseums.net.

(iv) Large scale industrial history items are not collected because of the lack of special resources needed to care for and store this material. If the Museum becomes aware of endangered industrial history within the local area the relevant archaeological bodies will be contacted e.g. Local Authority Archaeologist and Historic Environment Record, English Heritage.

6.2.6.4 Numismatics

RAMM will pursue an active policy of acquiring Prehistoric, Roman, medieval and later coins found within the museum’s collection area and coins, tokens, medals and paranumismatica issued in Devon. With regard to Anglo-Saxon and Norman pennies of the Devon mints, the intention is to acquire a sample of each die of each mint in as good condition as can be afforded. There will be an emphasis on acquiring rarities, academically interesting pieces and pieces with particular points of interest. For the Exeter Civil War issues, the aim is to acquire an example of each die in as good a condition as can be afforded. There will be consultation with other local museums whenever an opportunity for acquisition arises.

6.2.6.5 Foreign archaeology

There is no intention of obtaining significant new collections within this area. New acquisitions, however, will be considered if artefacts are known to have come from the major donors of material

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already held in the collection e.g. Claude Delaval Cobham, Lt. Col. L.A.D. Montague, Dr. N.L. Corkill.

6.3 Interdisciplinary collecting

Alongside our principal subject specialisms, RAMM is interested in multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary work. In line with the eclectic character of our public-facing offer, our acquisitions take in contemporary art, digital and new media, user-generated content, social history and handling material, as well as our fundamental specialisms.

6.3.1 Social history

RAMM does not have a discrete collections category for social history. However, several of the main collections categories touch upon this field. For example, the Antiquities collection includes considerable local history holdings, the Art collection includes paintings, prints and drawings of local people and the Costume collection includes a substantial quantity of dress worn by a range of Exeter residents.

(i) RAMM’s collecting of social history will be limited to items with clear connections to Exeter and Devon in terms of design, production or use by people living or working in Exeter, past or present.

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(ii) RAMM will not collect mass-produced items unless they strongly meet one or more of the other points in this Collections Development Policy.

(iii) The objective of collecting social history items in any collections category is to enrich visitor experience (physical or virtual), introduce additional voices and stimulate discussion and new perspectives and to help personalise the making of meaning.

(iv) Social history acquisitions to any collections category must contribute to the exploration of themes, issues, events or people important to the natural and cultural history of Exeter, set within its regional and national context, or the city and the region’s connections across the world.

(v) In the case of oral history, material will be acquired with due regard to the codes of practice and ethical guidelines established by the Oral History Society and comparable professional bodies.

(vi) Any social history material added to RAMM’s collections will comply with the Accreditation Standard for Museums.

(vii) Archival material unrelated to RAMM’s collections will be referred to Devon Heritage Service or other relevant record office.

6.3.2 Contemporary art

In recent years, RAMM has been developing a reputation for integrating, exhibiting and commissioning contemporary art. Since 2012 this work has been guided by a Contemporary Art Panel (CAP).

(i) On occasion, RAMM may acquire and, if appropriate accession, contemporary art. Collecting will be informed by the following documents:

‘Essence of RAMM’ (2013) ‘Framework for programming contemporary art at RAMM’ (2013)

(ii) Contemporary art acquisitions must contribute to the exploration of themes, issues, events or people important to the natural and cultural history of Exeter, set within its regional and national context, or the city and the region’s connections across the world. Contemporary art acquisitions may also expose museum history and processes and engage in the dynamic between disciplines.

(iii) Methods for acquiring contemporary art may include:

Purchase, bequest or donation (including donation in lieu of tax) Commissioning work

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Acts of repatriation National collecting or commissioning schemes – e.g. Art Fund Collect.

(iv) As with other collections categories, any contemporary art acquisitions will be assessed in the context of their needs for display or storage space, ongoing care and maintenance and other potential future costs of acquisition.

(v) Funding will inform the rationale for collecting contemporary art, as investment will be required for ambitious projects to be realised.

6.3.3 Handling collections

(i) RAMM may acquire objects, artefacts and specimens for use in handling activities with audiences and participants. The objective of this collecting is to further RAMM’s statement of purpose.

(ii) Handling material must contribute to the exploration of themes, issues, events or people important to the natural and cultural history of Exeter, set within its regional and national context, or the city and the region’s connections across the world.

(iii) Methods for collecting handling material must comply with the acquisition procedures described in section 10.

(iv) Material for the handling collection is not accessioned.

(v) Material for the handling collection is documented and managed in accordance with SPECTRUM procedures and standards.

6.3.4 User-generated content (UGC)

(i) On occasion, RAMM may acquire (but not accession) content generated by its users (physical or virtual participants). The objective of this collecting is to enrich visitor experience (physical or virtual), introduce additional voices, stimulate discussion and help personalise the making of meaning.

(ii) The decision to acquire user-generated content will be made at the development phase of any new project.

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(iii) Any acquisition of user-generated content will be carried out within resources. Material will be archived in one media format and RAMM makes no commitment to retaining material beyond the natural life of the format in which it is archived.

(iv) Acquisitions of user-generated material must contribute to the exploration of themes, issues, events or people important to the natural and cultural history of Exeter, set within its regional and national context, or the city and the region’s connections across the world.

(v) Methods for collecting user-generated material must comply with the acquisition procedures described in section 10.

(vi) Any formally acquired user-generated content will become part of RAMM’s archive. It will not be accessioned.

(vii) Archived user-generated content will be managed in accordance with the SCAM Code of Practice on Archives in Museums (2002), the consent of the subject and with due regard to the ethical guidelines established by the Oral History Society where appropriate.

6.3.5 Analogue and digital media

Analogue and digital media are an essential part of museum practice today. For the purposes of this policy, analogue and digital media includes (but is not limited to) film, animation, video, audio, photography and internet-based work.

(i) On occasion, it may be appropriate for RAMM to acquire (but not accession) digital or analogue media content. The objective of collecting here is to broaden audiences and access, enrich visitor experience (physical or virtual), introduce additional voices and stimulate discussion and new perspectives and to help personalise the making of meaning.

(ii) Any acquisition of digital or analogue media content will be carried out within resources. Material will be archived in one media format and RAMM makes no commitment to retaining material beyond the natural life of the format in which it is archived.

(iii) Digital and analogue media acquisitions must contribute to the exploration of themes, issues, events or people important to the natural and cultural history of Exeter, set within its regional and national context, or the city and the region’s connections across the world.

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(iv) Acquired digital and analogue content should be authentic and distinctive; enriching experience rather than replicating real objects, opening up access rather than providing instruction.

(v) Any digital and analogue acquisitions will become part of RAMM’s archive. They will not be accessioned.

(vi) Archived digital and analogue content will be managed in accordance with the SCAM Code of Practice on Archives in Museums (2002) (See Section 14).

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7. Themes and priorities for rationalisation and disposal

7.1 General principles

7.1.1 Increasing the public benefit of collections

Responsible, curatorially-motivated disposal takes place as part of RAMM’s long-term collections policy, in order to increase the public benefit derived from the collections. Any decision to dispose of or change the status of an object will be made within the wider framework of this Collections Development Policy.

7.1.2 Disposing ethically

Any decisions to dispose of an object will be made in line with the Museums Association (MA) Code of Ethics (2008) and MA Disposal Toolkit13. Motivation for disposal and method of disposal will be strictly in accordance with clauses 15 (e) and 15 (f) on page 38.

7.1.3 Permissable outcomes of disposal

Any disposal will be based on clearly expressed and interrogated outcomes. The following outcomes will be permissible:

To improve access to the item, increasing public enjoyment and engagement. To provide better context for the item. To enable improved care of the item. To enable continued retention of the item within public museum collections or the wider

public domain. To remove a hazard posed by the item. To free up resources to better care for and utilise other parts of the collection for public

benefit.

Repatriation and restitution of objects and human remains is a separate field and is addressed in Section 13.

7.1.4 Permissable types of material for disposal

In order to achieve the outcomes listed above, RAMM may consider the following types of material for potential disposal or transfer:

Items that fall outside this Collections Development Policy. Items for which there is little likelihood of future use within the context of RAMM. Items for which RAMM is unable to provide adequate care or curation within reasonable

resources. Items which duplicate material in RAMM’s or other institutions’ collections. Items which lack adequate provenance or context and where the possibility to acquire

provenance or context is limited within reasonable resources. Items which pose a threat to health and safety.

The Subject Statements (p33-34) outline the current position and specific themes and priorities for rationalisation and disposal for each subject area.

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7.2 Themes and priorities for rationalisation and disposal: Subject statements

7.2.1 Fine ArtThe Collections Development Plan for Fine Art identifies the following areas for rationalisation:

Duplicate prints Dartmoor photographs European ceramics Documents (theatre programmes, letters, election posters) Publications

7.2.2 Decorative Art

The Collections Development Plan for Decorative Art identifies the following areas for rationalisation:

Furniture (excluding pieces connected to key RAMM donor Kent Kingdon) European ceramics.

7.2.3 Costume and Textiles

The collections development plan for costume and textiles identifies the following areas for rationalisation following further research and review:

Gloves Stockings Post-1970 periodicals 20th century hairdressing items and cosmetics School uniforms.

7.2.4 Ethnography

7.2.4.1. Rationalisation

The Collections Development Plan for Ethnography identifies the following areas for rationalisation:

Contemporary souvenirs from North East Africa Russian items obtained from the Crimean War Items from various European countries Two examples of chain mail armour from Korea

Specialist assessments of aspects of the ethnographic collection identify the following areas for potential rationalisation:

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Anklets and bracelets from India, including several duplicates Various South East Asian weapons e.g. Malay kris Items that are in bad repair and are not good examples of their kind.

7.2.4.2 Repatriation and restitution of objects

There are unique circumstances where items from the ethnographic collection are returned to source communities. Returns are dealt with on a case by case basis. Legitimate source community representatives, sometimes working with official Government departments for the nation concerned, should contact the museum directly where clear cases for return exist or where initial enquiries may be made.

Repatriation and restitution of objects and human remains is a separate field and is addressed in Section 13.

7.2.5 Natural History

The Collections Development Plan for Natural History identifies the following areas for rationalisation:

Spirit collection: poorly persevered (often in Phenoxetol), poorly provenanced and irrelevant specimens identified as part of a review of the spirit-preserved collection

Magic lantern slides (in conjunction with RAMM’s Antiquities department) Unaccessioned plants with poor data Unaccessioned molluscs with poor data Poorly provenanced and damaged large crustacea Birds’ eggs with poor data Recent, mass produced publications Unaccessioned, poorly provenanced, poor quality or irrelevant geological material.

Specialist assessments of Jurassic fossils with unclear provenance, and others whose geological period or significance was unclear at the time of the preliminary assessment, identify the following areas for potential rationalisation:

Selected chalk fossils Selected corals Potten (Bedfordshire) specimens Red chalk cretaceous fossils Maltese echinoids.

Please refer to consultants’ reports for full details and cautionary advice14.

7.2.6 Antiquities

The Collections Development Plan for Antiquities identifies the following areas for rationalisation:

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Recent Devon or Exeter archaeological archives with small collections of finds that form typical assemblages

Transfers of archaeological archives to other bodies such as English Heritage Apply sampling/retention strategies to pottery and building materials from larger Roman

and later sites in Devon (medium priority) Apply sampling/retention strategies to collections of faunal remains from archaeological

sites Apply sampling/retention strategies to collections of clay pipes from archaeological sites Social history, items not relating to Exeter or Devon

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8. Limitations on collecting

The museum recognises its responsibility, in acquiring additions to its collections, to ensure that care of collections, documentation arrangements and use of collections will meet the requirements of the Accreditation Standard. It will take into account limitations on collecting imposed by such factors as staffing, storage and care of collection arrangements.

8.1. 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 specialism, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and waste of resources.

Specific reference is made to the following museum(s):

A la Ronde Exmouth, Devon

Allhallows Museum Honiton, Devon

Arlington Carriage Museum Barnstaple, Devon

Arlington Court Barnstaple, Devon

Ashburton Museum Ashburton, Devon

Axe Valley Heritage Museum Seaton, Devon

Axminster Museum Axminster, Devon

Branscombe Old Bakery Seaton, Devon

Braunton & District Museum Braunton, Devon

Brixham Heritage Museum Brixham, Devon

Buckfastleigh Museum and the Valient Soldier Heritage Project Buckfastleigh, Devon

Buckland Abbey Yelverton, Devon

Burton Art Gallery & Museum Bideford, Devon

Castle Drogo Exeter, Devon

Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum Cullompton, Devon

Coleton Fishacre House & Garden Dartmouth, Devon

Combe Martin Museum Combe Martin, Devon

Cookworthy Museum of Rural Life Kingsbridge, Devon

Crediton Museum & Heritage Centre Crediton, Devon

Dartmoor Prison Museum Princetown, Devon

Dartmouth Museum Dartmouth, Devon

Dawlish Museum Dawlish, Devon

Devonshire Collection of Period Costume Totnes, Devon

Elizabethan House Plymouth, Devon

Exmouth Museum Exmouth, Devon

Fairlynch Arts Centre & Museum Budleigh Salterton, Devon

Finch Foundry Okehampton, Devon

Flete Ivybridge, Devon

Holsworthy Museum Holsworthy, Devon

Ilfracombe Museum Ilfracombe, Devon

Killerton House Exeter, Devon

Knightshayes Court Tiverton, Devon

Lyme Regis Museum Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lyn & Exmoor Museum Lynton, Devon

Markers Cottage Exeter, Devon

Morwellham Quay Open Air Museum Tavistock, Devon

Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon Barnstaple, Devon

Museum of British Surfing Braunton, Devon

Museum of Dartmoor Life Okehampton, Devon

Newton Abbot Town & GWR Museum Newton Abbot, Devon

North Devon District Council Museum Service Barnstaple, Devon

North Devon Maritime Museum Appledore, Devon

Overbecks Museum Salcombe, Devon

Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery Plymouth, Devon

Salcombe Maritime Museum Salcombe, Devon

Saltram House Plymouth, Devon

Sidmouth Museum Sidmouth, Devon

South Devon Railway Museum Trust Buckfastleigh, Devon

South Molton & District Museum South Molton, Devon

Tavistock Museum Tavistock, Devon

Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum & Historical Society Teignmouth, Devon

Thelma Hulbert Gallery Honiton, Devon

Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life Tiverton, Devon

Topsham Museum Exeter, Devon

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Torquay Museum Torquay, Devon

Torre Abbey (Torbay Council) Torquay, Devon

Totnes Elizabethan House Museum Totnes, Devon

Totnes Fashion and Textile Museum Totnes, Devon

University of Exeter, Bill Douglas Centre Exeter, Devon

Specific reference is made to the following records offices and archives:

Devon Heritage Services

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office

Somerset Heritage Service

Cornwall Record Office

9. Policy review procedure

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 on the first page of this policy.

Arts Council England 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

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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 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, Wales and Northern Ireland 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 11a, 11b, 11.c, or 11.e will only be because the museum is:

o acting as an externally approved repository of last resort for material of local (UK) origin

o 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

o acting with the permission of authorities with the requisite jurisdiction in the country of origin

o in possession of reliable documentary evidence that the item was exported from its country of origin before 1970.

o 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 human remains under 100 years old, it will obtain the necessary licence under the Human Tissue Act 2004.

h) As the museum holds 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.

12. Spoliation

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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.

13. 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 15a-15d, 15g and 15o/s 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’.

14. Management of archives

As the museum holds 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 (third edition, 2002).

15. Disposal procedures

DISPOSAL PRELIMINARIES

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.

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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. This may include repayment of the original grant and a proportion of the proceeds if the item is disposed of by sale.

MOTIVATION FOR DISPOSAL AND METHOD OF DISPOSAL e. When disposal is motivated by curatorial reasons the procedures outlined in paragraphs

15g-15s will be followed and the method of disposal may be by gift, sale or exchange.

f. The museum will not undertake disposal motivated principally by financial reasons

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-MAKINGh. 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.

i. Exeter City Council’s Head of Service and Portfolio Holder for Economy have delegated decision-making power with regard to disposals. In the event that the Head of Service and Portfolio Holder for Economy have concerns about a proposal to dispose, the decision will be made by the Full Scrutiny Committee of the Council.

USE OF PROCEEDS OF SALEj. 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 damage, loss or destruction of items will be applied in the same

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way. Advice on those cases where the monies are intended to be used for the care of collections will be sought from Arts Council England.

k. 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

l. 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.

m. 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.

n. 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

o. 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.

p. 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 15a-15d and 15g-15h will be followed as will the procedures in paragraphs 15p-15s.

q. 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.

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r. If the exchange is proposed with a non-accredited museum, with another type of organisation or with an individual, the museum will make an announcement in the Museums Journal and in other specialist journals where appropriate.

s. 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

o/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 de-accession and disposal.

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RAMM Collections Development Policy 2014-2019

Appendix A

Human Remains Policy

1. Introduction

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM, ‘the museum’) acts within the legal framework of the Human Tissue Act 2004. As the museum holds human remains under 100 years old, it will obtain the necessary licence under the Human Tissue Act 2004.

In our treatment and use of human remains we will be guided by:

Code of Ethics for Museums (MA, 2008), plus any subsequent revisions Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums (DCMS, June 2006) Guidance for Best Practice for Treatment of Human Remains Excavated from Christian

Burial Grounds in England (Church of England/English Heritage, January 2005) Standards in Museum Care of Archaeological Collections (MGC, 1992) Centre for Archaeology Guidelines, Human bones from archaeological sites (English

Heritage, 2002) Statement on burial law and archaeology (Ministry of Justice, April 2008)

2. Definition of human remains

We will use the definition of human remains as outlined in DCMS guidelines:

“…bodies, and parts of bodies, of once living people from the species Homo sapiens…This includes osteological material (whole or part skeletons, individual bones or fragments of bone or teeth), soft tissue including organs and skin, embryos and slide preparations of human tissue.”

We will extend the definition to include hair, nails and funerary ashes.

3. Inventory of holdings

We have identified human remains within the collecting areas of Antiquities, Natural History and Ethnography.

4. Acquisition

The museum will retain its current holdings of human remains. If human remains are discovered in local archaeological contexts RAMM may acquire this material for its collection. The finds must be of exceptional importance or shed significant light on a community’s heritage. RAMM will only

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acquire this material if there is an accompanying copy of the associated paperwork, required according to current UK law.

5. Use and storage of human remains

RAMM conveys intellectual access through display and interpretation. We will follow DCMS guidelines when considering acceptable and ethical use for human remains.

Human remains are appropriately cared for and discreetly kept in the museum store. Where possible, remains are stored separately from other materials. Access to the material is restricted.

6. Research and access

RAMM will consider applications for access to archaeological human remains by community groups. We will also consider applications for sampling and analysis of archaeological human remains in order to answer research questions.

Requests for access to human remains will be considered by the museum’s Human Remains Working Group.

7. Exhibition and display

Where human remains form part of an exhibition, we will display them in a culturally sensitive, appropriate and informative manner which will be accompanied by explanatory and contextual information.

8. Images

All images of human remains in the museum and on the museum’s website will be in context with appropriate interpretation.

All requests for use of images or filming of human remains should be made to the responsible curator.

9. Deaccession, repatriation and reburial

The museum’s governing body, acting on the advice of the museum’s professional staff, may take a decision to return human remains to a country or people of origin.

Claims for repatriation and reburial will be considered on a case by case basis, within the museum’s legal position and taking into account all ethical implications. We will follow DCMS guidelines for the procedure in considering a claim for repatriation. All requests for deaccession, repatriation and reburial must be made in writing to the responsible curator, who will consult with the Senior Collections Officer in the first instance.

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We will work with the claimant to clarify the nature and scope of the request and to gather as much information as possible relating to the claim. A full written report will be presented to Exeter City Council Scrutiny Committee, advising Members of the factors involved in making a decision. The final decision will be made by Exeter City Council as the governing body and minuted. Claimants will be given a full explanation of the decision and will be given time to respond.

10. Note on human remains in the Ethnography collection at RAMM

In recent years, the Ethnography department at the museum has worked with legitimate source community representatives and government officials in trying to ascertain provenance for the remains in the department’s care. Good documentation has allowed RAMM to return remains to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Detailed documentation is not available for all remains held and, notwithstanding the provisions in section 8 (above), at the time of preparing the current policy there are no plans to return remains in the period 2014-2019.

A list of human remains in RAMM’s ethnography collection can be found on the museum’s World Cultures website: http://rammworldcultures.org.uk/about/human-remains/

Legitimate source community representatives are welcome to contact RAMM with their enquiries.

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RAMM Collections Development Policy 2014-2019

Appendix B

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVES DEPOSITION 2018Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter

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CONTENTS 1. Introduction 4

2. Mandatory conditions of deposition 5

3. RAMM’s collecting boundaries 5

4. Process chart 6

5. Contacting RAMM prior to fieldwork 7

6. Consultation process 7

7. Allocation of RAMM accession number 7

8. Digital data 8

9. Transferring title 8

10. Assignment of copyright 8

11. Essential conservation work 8

12. Standards of presentation of finds and documentary archives 9

12.1. Finds archives 9

12.1.1. Sampling and disposal 9

12.1.2. Bulk finds 9

12.1.2.1. Cleaning 9

12.1.2.2. Marking 9

12.1.2.3. Bagging up 9

12.1.2.4. Boxing up 10

12.1.2.5. Labelling boxes 10

12.1.3. Small finds 10

12.1.3.1. cleaning and conservation 10

12.1.3.2. Marking 10

12.1.3.3. Packaging (also fragile bulk finds) 10

12.1.3.4. Boxing up 11

12.1.3.5. Labelling boxes 11

12.1.4. Outsize objects 12

12.2. Documentary archives 13

12.2.1. Paper archives 13

12.2.1.1. Papers 13

12.2.1.2. Plans14

12.2.1.3. Photographic archives 14

12.2.1.3.1. Marking 14

12.2.1.3.2. Packaging 14

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13. Materials and suppliers 15

13.1. Low acid boxes for finds 15

13.2. Polythene ‘Stewart’ boxes 15

13.3. Foil backed box labels 15

13.4. Table of suppliers 16

14. Documents for reference 17

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Details of collecting boundaries 18

Appendix 2 – Notification of fieldwork form 19

Appendix 3 – Transfer of title form 20

Appendix 4 – Archive deposition form 21

Appendix 5 – Copyright licence form 22

Appendix 6 – Accession number sub-numbering scheme 23

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1. INTRODUCTION

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) is a service of Exeter City Council. It has a significant collection of archaeological finds and records (archaeological archives) built up since the 1970s through so-called ‘rescue archaeology’ and developer-funded archaeology. These archives represent a major part of our communal cultural heritage, and – for the periods of Exeter and Devon’s rich history for which there are no documents or many buildings surviving – is the only evidence for what happened in the past, for illustrating how people lived and died, and for how the urban and rural landscape have developed over the centuries. By its nature, archaeological material, and the knowledge it contains cannot be replaced.

The increasing volume of archives from developer-funded archaeology put existing storage facilities under extreme pressure. The content of these archives have also tended to duplicate those already held in RAMM’s collection. As a result RAMM ceased collecting archaeological archives in December 2010.

This document sets out how RAMM will work with archaeological contractors and planning archaeologists to ensure that archaeology generated as part of the planning and development process since December 2010 is archived and preserved in a public repository.

RAMM will only accept finds of an exceptional nature and ones that significantly add to its holdings of a community’s heritage. RAMM will act as the consulting museum to work with archaeological contractors and planning archaeologists to create an archive of the other material which is deemed worthy of preservation but cannot be taken into RAMM’s collection. This archive will have been subject to agreed sampling and disposal strategies which will have taken into account RAMM’s existing archaeology collection.

The object element of the archive will be stored with DEEPSTORE, a specialist storage facility at Winsford Rock Salt Mine in Cheshire.

The document element, whether ‘born-digital’ or retrospectively digitised, will be deposited with Archaeology Data Services (ADS) hosted by the University of York.

RAMM will charge a box fee for items it accepts. Deposition with DEEPSTORE and ADS will be at the archaeology contractor’s expense.

RAMM reserves the right to refuse to accept archaeological material that does not meet the conditions outlined in this document. When RAMM receives archaeological material, it accepts responsibility for it in perpetuity. It accepts archaeological material on the basis of making it publicly accessible through exhibition, education and research.

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2. MANDATORY CONDITIONS OF DEPOSITION

2.1 That the site lies within Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery’s (RAMM) collecting boundaries.

2.2 That RAMM has been contacted prior to commencement of the archaeological project and it has been agreed that RAMM is to be the consulting museum.

2.3 That the archive is complete and fieldwork is not ongoing. Any sampling strategies need to have been carried out in consultation with RAMM prior to deposition.

2.4 That any reference numbers or accession numbers issued by RAMM prior to commencement of the excavation has been used to number all items in the finds, documentary and digital archives as specified.

2.5 That if any items are accessioned by RAMM, signed title to them will have been obtained by the excavator for RAMM.

2.6 That a copyright licence has been assigned to RAMM.

2.7 That where human remains are included in the archive, there is an accompanying copy of the associated paperwork, required according to current law, in the documentary archive.

2.8 That any conservation work essential for the long term preservation of finds within the archive has been completed by the excavator and is fully documented.

2.9 That the documentary and finds archives have been prepared to the standard specified in this document.

2.10 That the contractor has submitted a ‘Statement of Potential’ about the site archive. This only needs to be a brief synopsis or paragraph outlining the importance, or not, of the site and its finds. This will serve as a good starting point for use of the archive and will be included on a future museum web entry for the site.

2.11 That an Online Access to the Index of Archaeological Investigations (OASIS) form has been completed for the site

2.12 That charges relating to the deposition of the archive have been paid.

3. RAMM’S COLLECTING BOUNDARIES RAMM collects archaeological material from the following district council areas: Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge; South Hams (only the parishes of Staverton, Littlehempston, Dartington, Totnes, Berry Pomeroy, Marldon, Stoke Gabriel and Kingswear) and West Devon (only the parishes of Bondleigh, North Tawton, South Tawton, Spreyton, Drewsteignton, Throwleigh, Gidleigh and Chagford). For a map showing the collecting boundary see Appendix 1. RAMM cooperates with Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery, Torquay Museum and Barnstaple & North Devon Museum to cover archaeological collecting across the county.

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Archaeological contractor sends RAMM a notification of fieldwork for a project in RAMM’s collecting area

RAMM issues reference number

Fieldwork commences

Consultation period commences between archaeological contractor, RAMM and planning archaeologist

Sampling and disposal strategies agreed.Structure of archive is agreed.

DisposalMaterial of very low research potential

RAMMObjects of exceptional interest

DeepstoreMaterial with some research potential

ADSDigital data

4. PROCESS CHARTThis chart outlines the process through which RAMM interact with archaeology and the planning process

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5. CONTACTING RAMM PRIOR TO FIELDWORKAs soon as the archaeological contractor has been commissioned to undertake an archaeological project within the RAMM collecting area they should complete a Notification of Fieldwork form (see Appendix 2) and email or send it to the address below. RAMM will agree, in principle, to be the consulting museum, providing the excavator fulfils the standard as set out in this document. At this point RAMM will issue a reference number which can be quoted in the WSI, correspondence with RAMM and quoted in data submitted to OASIS and ADS. This number is used to track archaeological activity and does not commit RAMM to accepting material from the site into its collection. It acts as the start of a period of consultation between the archaeological contractor, the planning archaeologist and RAMM.

Contact details are:

Thomas CadburyAssistant CuratorRoyal Albert Memorial Museum and Art GalleryQueen StreetExeter EX4 3RX

Telephone: 01392 265356Email: Thomas.Cadbury@exeter.gov.uk

6. CONSULTATION PROCESSThe consultation process will lead to an archive being formed that can be deposited with DEEPSTORE and ADS. During consultation sampling and disposal strategies can be formulated, these will take account of the sizeable collection already held by RAMM. Any objects to be accessioned by RAMM will selected. It is likely that the consultation will take place at the archaeological contractor’s premises. A charge of £41.00 per hour will be made to cover curatorial time taken during consultation.

7. ALLOCATION OF RAMM ACCESSION NUMBER Should the project find objects of an exceptional nature or of high significance to a community’s heritage then RAMM may decide to acquire them for its collection. In this case RAMM will assign a unique accession number to the site. Items given accession numbers should also be quoted in data submitted to OASIS and ADS and in final published reports as an aid to researchers and museum staff.

Appendix 6 lays out how the accession number is used in relation to different classes of finds (sub-numbered by material, period etc).

ImportantWhere individual artefacts have been identified within specialist reports it is essential that they are individually identifiable within the archive. Similarly, where specialists have sorted artefacts into different types within a context, these groups should be bagged accordingly and labelled with their identification. This aids future research and use of the collections.

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8. DIGITAL DATARAMM expects that the documentary element of an archive is deposited as digital data with the Archaeology Data Service in York.

Tenders submitted for sites must cover the cost of depositing any digital data with ADS as well as the excavator’s time needed to prepare digital material for ADS deposition.

The process is as follows: 

8.1.1 Excavator prepares site for deposition with digital material being deposited with ADS.

The digital archive material must:

8.1.2 Be prepared to ADS specifications for file format and documentation.

8.1.3 Name all files in accordance with ADS requirements. As far as possible the file names should mirror the reference number (point numbers need to be substituted with underscores e.g. 2014.1.1.4 becomes 2014_1_1_4).

8.1.4 Include the associated OASIS id; the OASIS record must list any museum reference or accession numbers for the site.

8.1.5 Excavator includes details in the OASIS 'Archive' section outlining their intended deposit to both the RAMM (for finds and documents and the ADS for digital material.

8.1.6 Excavator submits digital archive to the ADS and signs an ADS licence. 

8.1.7 ADS submits invoice to excavator.

8.1.8 Excavator settles invoice.

9. TRANSFERRING TITLEAny parts of the archive being accessioned by RAMM should have signed title transferred to RAMM prior to deposition of the archive (see Appendix 3). The excavator is the signatory for the documentary archive and the freehold landowner is the signatory for the finds archive.

10. ASSIGNMENT OF COPYRIGHTCopyright to the archive must be made available to RAMM via the Copyright Licence form for unrestricted internal use of the archive. (see Appendix 5).

The archaeological contractor will need to be the signatory for the Archaeology Data Service Licence.

11. ESSENTIAL CONSERVATION WORKAll essential conservation of archaeological objects must be completed prior to deposition. Where appropriate, conservation issues should be discussed with RAMM in advance of work being carried out. Full records of any conservation work and treatment carried out need to be included in the archive. All conservation work must be carried out by a professional conservator. If in doubt, contact the museum for advice.

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12. STANDARDS FOR PRESENTATION OF FINDS AND DOCUMENTARY ARCHIVESBoth the finds and documentary archives must be prepared to the required standard of RAMM. This is set out below. Archives must be presented in clean packaging.

12.1 FINDS ARCHIVES

12.1.1 Sampling and DisposalSampling is increasingly used to discard bulk material where it is thought to be surplus to future research needs. This should be discussed with the museum in advance of any sampling process being carried out. All sampling strategies need to be fully documented in the final archive. The existing holdings of RAMM’s archaeology collection will be an important factor that informs the sampling and disposal strategy.

12.1.2 Bulk finds

12.1.2.1 CleaningAll bulk finds must be cleaned. The only exceptions are where it is thought cleaning will destroy important evidence regarding the function of an object. Finds such as washed pottery and bone must be allowed to fully dry before being bagged up. If finds are packaged damp, mould growth will occur.

12.1.2.2 MarkingWhere possible all bulk finds must be marked with the reference number or accession number followed by the context number in brackets (see 7 and appendix 6). On finds where the application of paraloid B72 diluted with acetone will not damage the object, a layer of paraloid should be applied and the number written onto the paraloid when it has dried. This should be done using a mapping pen and black ‘Indian’ ink. White ink should only be used on very dark finds as it gives a more untidy result and tends to be less permanent. ‘Windsor & Newton’ or equivalent quality inks must be used; that is water resistant drawing ink made from a lightfast pigment in a shellac solution (can be thinned with distilled water if required). A top coat of paraloid should be added to ensure the longevity of the number.

The writing should be small, neat and legible. Pottery sherds should be marked on the inside towards the middle. This is preferable in case the pot is ever reconstructed and the edges consequently obscured. It also means that the number is more likely to survive if the sherd is chipped or further sampled.

It is not possible to mark some bulk finds such as: nails; slag; samples; artefacts with very rough surfaces, or those which are very small.

For a full guide to marking see http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/programmes/museum-accreditation/926-labelling-and-marking-museum-objects

12.1.2.3 Bagging upAll bulk pottery, bone, nails, slag and glass must be bagged up, according to material and context number, using at least 200 gauge self-seal polythene bags with three white write on panels. Bags

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should not mix materials or contexts. Bags should hold an appropriate amount of material for their size. Bags containing metal finds should be perforated to prevent the build-up of harmful micro-environments. A quick method of doing this is to use a pricking wheel of the type available from needlework shops.

The listed contents should be clearly visible from the outside of the bag. Information should be written onto the bag using a Kaiser-Schreiber film marking pen or a permanent black marker pen.

12.1.2.4 Boxing upOnly boxes of the correct dimensions and acid-free properties should b used (see 132.1). Bagged up bulk finds should be placed in AAZ1046 sized low acid boxes or where there are a small number of finds AAZ1045 boxes. If the size of individual objects cannot be accommodated in these sizes of box then box AAZ1047 can be used but this should be the exception. Occasionally, boxes might be needed to house finds which have larger dimensions (see 13.1).

Out of necessity, boxes of finds are often stored on high level shelves and, as such, become dangerous to lift if they are too bulky or heavy. Apart from small sites, where all the finds will fit into one box, materials should not be mixed. For such smaller sites, ideally boxes should be partitioned using acid-free boxboard. Boxes should not mix finds of significantly different robustness.

12.1.2.5 Labelling boxesBoxes must be labelled using foil backed box labels. The labels should preferably be printed but, if handwritten, need to be legibly filled out using an archival permanent black marker pen. Labels must be stuck to the left side of both a short and long side of the box.

12.1.3 Small finds

12.1.3.1 Cleaning and conservationAll small finds must be cleaned and, where necessary, treated by a professional conservator to ensure their long-term preservation.

12.1.3.2 MarkingWhere possible, all small finds should be marked using their unique identifying number (see 7 and appendix 6).

Objects should be marked discreetly but not obscurely. The marking should not detract from the potential display of the object.

12.1.3.3 Packaging (also fragile bulk finds)In general, small finds need to be housed in more protective storage than bulk finds, as they are usually more delicate in nature.

Very robust small finds may be bagged in the same manner as bulk finds. Moderately robust small finds can be cushioned on a layer of polyethelene ‘jiffy’ foam in a polythene bag. They should not be wrapped but should be visible through the clear side of the bag. Bags should be perforated. More delicate small finds should be housed in clear, non-hinged, polystyrene ‘crystal’ boxes in plastazote inserts. These should consist of a layer of plastazote, which fits into the bottom of the box, and a top layer, which has a cut-out in the shape of the object, into which the object is placed. Ideally, a layer of PEL wet strength repair tissue should be placed between the object and the cut-out to facilitate easy removal. The small find should be visible through the lid of the box. Where

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necessary plastazote ‘braces’ should be put over the object to prevent it moving and banging against the lid.

Packaged metal small finds and other small finds, which need to be kept in regulated micro-environments, should subsequently be packed with humidity absorbing crystals into a polythene ‘Stewart’ box (see 13.2).

Silica gel stored with ferrous objects should be pre-conditioned at below 15% relative humidity. With non-ferrous metals the silica gel should be pre-conditioned to below 35% relative humidity.

Polythene ‘Stewart’ boxes must also have a humidity indicator strip placed inside. Please position this so that it is visible from the outside.

Larger metal or composite objects may need to be housed in their own stewart boxes. Again, these finds should be supported by plastazote, have a regulated micro-environment and a humidity indicator strip.

12.1.3.4 Boxing upPackaged non-metal small finds should be boxed up in low acid boxes (AAZ1045 or AAZ1046). Care must be taken to ensure that the objects do not crush each other and that there is minimal movement in the box. Acid free tissue paper and polyethelene ‘jiffy’ foam should be used as a buffer within the box or where possible, internal partitions created using acid-free box-board.

Packaged metal objects should be boxed in polythene stewart boxes. Again, acid-free paper or polyethelene ‘jiffy’ foam should be used as a buffer to ensure minimal movement within the box.

12.1.3.5 Labelling boxesAll ‘Stewart’ boxes must be labelled using foil backed box labels. Stewart box labels should be stuck to the left side of a short and long side of the box. Crystal box labels should have a paper label cut to size and placed in the bottom of the box beneath the plastazote layer. The unique accession number should be written with a Kaiser-Schreiber film marking pen or a permanent marker pen onto the plastazote beside the object, and also onto the lid of the box at the top right hand corner and where possible should not obscure the view of the contents.

Layer of repair tissue

Accession or reference number written on plastazote with Kaiser-Schreiber film marking pen

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Where crystal boxes are too small to be labelled using a pre-printed label, they should be put inside a perforated labelled polythene bag with the find showing through the clear side of the bag.

12.1.4 Outsize objectsSome objects, whether bulk finds or small finds, are too large for standard packaging. Items such as large timbers or stone carvings may not require packaging for storage but may sit directly on a shelf. Other items may require bespoke packaging. All materials must be of a conservation standard. All items should have a tyvek label marked with the object number in archival ‘pigma’ pen and be attached using soft unbleached cotton tape.

Accession or reference number written on lid of crystal box with Kaiser-Schreiber film marking pen

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12.2 DOCUMENTARY ARCHIVESDocumentary archives should be presented as digital files to ADS. The following guidelines should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

12.2.1 Paper archiveDocumentary archives should be organised to a recognised standard, in accordance with the requirements of the Institute for Archaeologists Standard and Guidance for the creation, compilation, transfer and deposition of archaeological archives and the Standard and Guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials (2008).

http://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/node-files/ifa_standards_materials.pdf

http://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/node-files/Archives2009.pdf

It is essential that the documentary archive makes explicit the system by which it is organised so that the different elements can be quickly and easily accessed by researchers and museum staff.

It must have:

A contents list which inventories how many boxes the documentary archive consists of and references where information can be found within it.

An inventory of the numbers of boxes of bulk finds, including the type of material they contain.

An inventory of the numbers of boxes of small finds.

An inventory of the numbers of loose bulk finds and small finds.

Detailed indexes of the small finds, clearly listing their unique accession numbers as well as their context numbers.

Detailed indexes of plans clearly listing their unique accession numbers.

Detailed indexes of photographic images and their media clearly listing their unique accession numbers.

Elements of the paper archive must not include staples, metal paper clips, rubber bands, tape, items held together using glues or other adhesive fixatives. These are destructive over time and most adhesives fail leading to the disassociation and/or loss of information.

12.2.1.1 Papers

Each section must have its own acid-free archival manuscript folder/s. The folders should be marked on the outside in archival pencil in the top right hand corner with the site accession number and the archive section number/description. Each folder should be numbered referencing its documentary archive box number and its location within the box e.g. Box 1, Folder 1. These numbers should also be marked on the folder as previously described.

Every separate paper must be marked with the site accession number and the archive section number in archival pencil in the top right hand corner. If the papers are computer generated these numbers should be printed.

The folders must be placed in acid free archival flat document cases of the correct dimensions.

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Document cases must be labelled with foil backed box labels.

If and when the excavation is published the museum must be sent two copies of the publication.

12.2.1.2 Plans All plans must be marked with their reference number. Ideally, this should be done at the top right hand corner of the plan using archival pencil.

12.2.1.3 Photographic archive

12.2.1.3.1 MarkingAll digital images, photographs, negatives, slides and x-rays need to be given a unique identifying number.

Photographs should be marked on the back using an archival pencil. If the surface will not take pencil then a permanent black marker pen should be used. Try to avoid light areas of the image as the number can show through.

Where possible, negatives and x-rays should be marked using an extra fine white marker pen.

Slides should be marked using a permanent black marker pen or Kaiser-Schreiber film marking pen on the casing.

12.2.1.3.2 PackagingPhotographs, negatives, slides and x-rays are stored by hanging vertically in metal filing cabinets. Photographs, negatives and slides must be housed in polyproprylene wallets of the appropriate configuration according to their size. Wallets must not mix photographs, negatives, slides and x-rays. Each image must have its own pocket. Do not double up photographs etc. The wallets must also be labelled at the top with the range of accession numbers of the items housed in the wallet. This needs to be done using foil backed labels (see 10.3) and permanent archival ‘pigma’ marker pen. The wallet also needs to be provided with a file hanger.

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13. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERSIf an excavator already uses materials which they feel correspond to those listed and would like to use these instead, please get in touch to discuss this before going ahead and using alternatives to those items listed.

For full details of suppliers see 13.4

13.1 Low acid boxes for findsUse: To store bulk finds and small finds where appropriate.

Supplier: G. Ryder & Co. Ltd

Details:

Internal dimensions in mm’s

G. Ryder box code

Length Width Depth Lid depth

Finds box AAZ1045

394 241 76 70

Finds box AAZ1046

394 241 152 70

Finds box AAZ1047

394 241 304 70

13.2 Polythene ‘Stewart’ boxesBox name Azpack Product Code Dimensions in mmGiant storer 1781 008 150 x 305 x 305

Pizza storer 1225 008 60 x 240 x 240

13.3 Foil backed box labelsPreservation Equipment Ltd

Supplier code Dimensions in mm Use to label

Single sheet 387-3025 280mm x 216mm Documentary archive boxes

10 label sheet 387-5352 102mm x 51mm each label

Stewart boxes which are too small to accommodate the 6 label sheet size label

84 label sheet 387-2520 47mm x 11mm Photographic wallets, slides

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13.4 Table of SuppliersName of supplier Contact details Supplies (and product codes)

Allpack Packing Supplies Ltd

H8 Station Road Industrial Estate, Elmswell, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 9HRTel: 01359 242116 Fax: 01359 240175Email: sales@allpack.co.ukWeb:www.allpack.co.uk/bubble.htm

Polyethelene ‘jiffy’ foam

Azpack Limited 11 Kernan Drive, Swingbridge Trading Estate, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 5JFTel: 01509 261256 Fax: 01509 610650Email: sales@azpack.ltd.ukWeb: www.storeanddisplay.co.uk

Stewart Boxes (see 10.2), Crystal boxes

Conservation Resources (U.K.) Ltd

Units 1,2 & 4 Pony Road, Horspath Industrial Estate, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2RDTel: 01865 218277 Fax: 01865 747755 Email: info@conservation-resources.co.uk Web: www.conservation-resources.co.uk

Flat document cases (15101), black polyester marker pens (PMP), ‘pigma’ archival pens, white marker pens (EF780), soft pencils (4HB), paraloid B72 (SY7 & SY7F), Perma-Saf™ photographic wallets & suspension rods (PSH-F)

G. Ryder & Co. Ltd

Denbigh Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DOTel: 01908 375524 Fax: 01908 373658 Email: sales@ryderbox.co.ukWeb: www.ryderbox.co.uk

Boxes (various see 10.

Polybags Ltd Lyon Way, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 0AQTel: 020 8575 8200 Fax: 020 8578 2247Email: sales@polybags.co.ukWeb: www.polybags.co.uk

Polythene bags (self-seal gauge with three white write-on panels. Must be at least 200 gauge)

Polyformes Limited

Cherrycourt Way, Stanbridge, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 4UHTel: 01525 852444 Fax: 01525 850484Email: info@polyformes.co.ukWeb: www.polyformes.co.uk

Plastazote

Preservation Equipment Ltd

Vinces Road, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2DG Tel: 01379 647400, Fax: 01379 650582 Email: info@preservationequipment.comWeb: www.preservationequipment.com

Art-sorb beads (857-0016) and sheets (857-1919 & 857-0016/20), humidity indicator strips (931-3100), manuscript folders (701-1915), plan boxes (see 9.2.1.2), plan hangers (502-6225), foil-backed labels (see 10.3) tyvek labels (613-7500), soft unbleached cotton tape (586-0016), box board (345-1620), kaiser-schreiber film marking pen (871-2040), PEL wet strength repair tissue (682-

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Name of supplier Contact details Supplies (and product codes)

3614)

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14. DOCUMENTS FOR REFERENCE

AHDS Digital Archives from Excavation and Field Work: Guide to Good Practices. ISSN 1463-5194 (http//ads.ahds.ac.uk/project/goodguides/excavation)

Brown, Duncan H. 2007. Archaeological Archives: A guide to best practice in creation, compilation, transfer and curation. Institute of Field Archaeologists on behalf of the Archaeological Archives Forum.

Brown, Adrian & Perrin, Kathy. January 2000. A Model for the Description of Archaeological Archives. English Heritage Centre for Archaeology.

English Heritage. 1991. Management of Archaeological Projects (MAP2). English Heritage.

Goodman, Elizabeth & Suenson-Taylor, Kirsten. Autumn/Winter 1998. Stability, Standards and Compromises. Working with MAP2 in the Commercial World. Museum Archaeologists News 27. 3-6.

Groves, Jo. 1984. Department of Urban Archaeology Finds Procedures Manual. Museum of London.

Longworth, Christine & Wood, Barbara (editors). 2000. Standards in Action: Working with Archaeology. Museum Documentation Association and the Society of Museum Archaeologists.

Museum Documentation Association. 1997. SPECTRUM, the UK Documentation Standard for museums.

Owen, Janet. 1995. Towards an Accessible Archaeological Archive. Society of Museum Archaeologists.

Paine, Crispin (editor). 1992. Standards in the Museum 1. Care of Archaeological Collections. Museums & Galleries Commission.

Perrin, Kathy. March 1993. CAS Archives Management System. English Heritage

Walker, Kirsten. 1990. Guidelines for the Preparation of Excavation Archives for long term storage. United Kingdom Institute for Conservation, Archaeology Section

Watkinson, David & Neal, Virginia. 1998. First Aid for Finds. Rescue/UKIC Archaeology Section. 3rd Edition.

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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: DETAILS OF COLLECTING BOUNDARIES

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Appendix 2: NOTIFICATION OF FIELDWORK FORM

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTRACTOR:

Commencement date:

Type of fieldwork: evaluation/watching brief/field walking/excavation/survey/building recording

Name and address of landowner (or whoever is able to transfer title of objects to RAMM):

Site manager:

Site name: Parish:

Site code: NGR:

EH code (if applicable):

Planning Authority:

Application/Permission/Consent number:

Quantity of material expected (boxes): <10 / <20 / <30 / <40 / <50 / >50

Conservation problems anticipated (eg. waterlogged material, organics):

TO BE COMPLETED BY MUSEUM ON NOTIFICATION

Reference number: Date issued:

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TO BE COMPLETED BY MUSEUM AFTER CONSULTATION PROCESS

Accession number: Date issued:

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Appendix 3: TRANSFER OF TITLE FORMThis form should be printed and will be used in conjunction with RAMM’s standard entry form. The entry form is a paper form that will be signed by owner of the objects or the depositing archaeological contractor at the time of deposition.

Museum accession number:

Site name and site code:

Name of Archaeological Contractor :

Name and address of owner:

Telephone Number:

I hereby confirm my donation of the archaeological discoveries (any objects, materials or remains of archaeological interest, other than those articles declared by Coroner’s Inquest to be Treasure) recovered from the site named as an absolute and perpetual gift. I wish all material to be unconditionally transferred to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, a service of Exeter City Council.

Signed ------------------------------------------------------------------ Date ------------------------

Print name ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Data Protection

The Museum retains the names and addresses of persons donating, bequeathing, selling or loaning objects because this information forms part of the object’s history. This information is for the Museum’s records and is not made available to any other organisation.

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Appendix 4 ARCHIVE DEPOSITION FORM (from April 2018)

Accession number:……………………

Name of archaeological contractor:…………………….

Site name:…………………….

Site address:………………………..

Item to be deposited Size in mm Number of items

Deposited

(internal use)

Charge per item

(excl VAT @ 20%)

Total

Finds box AAZ1045 394 x 241 x 76 £74.25

Finds box AAZ1046 394 x 241 x 152 £106.00

Finds box AAZ1047 394 x 241 x 304 £159.00

Stewart Plastics ‘Giant’ storer

150 x 305 x 305 £74.25

Stewart Plastics ‘Pizza’ storer

60 x 240 x 240 £74.25

Document case 387 x 260 x 76 £106.00

Outsize/other items

(price on application)

Total charge for deposition

Date of deposition

Signature of archaeological contractor

Signature of RAMM staff

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Appendix 5: COPYRIGHT LICENCE FORM

Museum accession number:

Site name and site code:

Name of Archaeological Contractor :

Name and address of copyright holder:

Telephone Number:

The above hereby grants to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum a perpetual royalty-free licence to:

1. reproduce all or part of the Archive for the purposes of research, study and conservation2. display copies of all or part of the Archive in any medium3. publish all or part of the Archive in any form or medium and in any publication4. permit third parties to do any of the above.

I undertake and warrant that:

1. I represent the sole, unencumbered owner of the copyright in the Archive and are free to grant the licence set out above

2. no use by the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in accordance with the above licence will infringe any rights of a third party

3. this licence is binding on the heirs, assigns and successors of the above organisation.

When all or any part of this Archive is used as part of this licence the following should credited:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Signed -------------------------------------------------------------------------Date ------------------------Print name ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Data Protection

The Museum retains the names and addresses of persons donating, bequeathing, selling or loaning objects because this information forms part of the object’s history. This information is for the Museum’s records and is not made available to any other organisation.

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Appendix 6: ACCESSION NUMBERS - SUB-NUMBERING SYSTEM

A flexible system: additional sub-numbers can be created according to the finds per site – periods, materials, typologies can be added as sub-number groups. Individual numbers can be allocated to individual objects.

.1 Paper archive

1.1 Primary archive paper records (context sheets etc)

1.2 Photographic records

1.3 Secondary archive paper records

(post-excavation)

1.4 Reports

1.5 Digital records

.2 Lithics

2.1 Tools

2.2 Debitage/waste

.3 Pottery

3.1 Prehistoric

3.2 Roman

3.3 Medieval

3.4 Post-medieval

3.5 Modern (post-1750)

.4 Clay pipe

.5 Faunal bone

5.1 Prehistoric

5.2 Roman

5.3 Medieval

5.4 Post-medieval

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5.5 Modern (post-1750)

5.6 Unstratified

.6 Human remains

.7 Glass

7.1 Prehistoric (Iron Age)

7.2 Roman

7.3 Medieval

7.4 Post-medieval

7.5 Modern (post-1750)

.8 Coins 8.1 Prehistoric

8.2 Roman

8.3 Medieval

8.4 Post-medieval

8.5 Modern (post-1750)

.9 Metals

9.1 Iron

9.2 Copper alloy

9.3 Lead

9.4 Other

.10 Small finds

[non-metal]

10.1 Worked bone

10.2 Worked stone

10.3 Leather

10.4 Wood

10.5 Other

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.11 Building materials

11.1 Stone

11.2 Ceramic tile

11.3 Plaster and mortar

11.4 Tesserae

11.5 Brick

11.6 Wood

11.7 Daub/Fired clay [added Nov 2018]

.12 Industrial material

[slag, cauldron mould etc]

.13 Samples

13.1 Environmental samples

13.2 Environmental residues

13.3 Other

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1. ‘Preliminary Collections Assessment: RAMM’s Fine Art, Decorative Art and Ethnographic Collections’ Claire Gulliver & Amal Khreisheh, 2012, updated with Natural History findings, 2012

2. Ibid

3. J Madin, Curator’s response to Preliminary Collections Assessment of Foreign Ceramics, 2012

4. ‘Preliminary Collections Assessment’ Gulliver/Khreisheh, 2012

5. ‘Review of Shawls and Stoles at RAMM’, Meg Andrews, 20136. ‘RAMM Collections Review 2012-2013: Somalia’, Nicola Stylianou, 2013 and ‘RAMM Collections Review: Ethiopia’, Nicola Stylianou, 2013

7. ‘Central America: Mexican and Guatemalan Textiles Collection Review’, Chloë Sayer, 2013

8. ‘RAMM: India Collection Review’, Emma Martin, 2013

9. Report, Paul Bevan, 2013

10. ‘RAMM Collections Review Report: Assessment criteria design/assessment of Jurassic fossils’, Nigel Larkin/Dean Lomax, 2013

11. ‘Exeter Collections Review Fossil Provenance/Review report’, Nigel Larkin/Dean Lomax, 2013

12. The pilot phase of the collections research prospectus is supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund

13. ‘Disposal Toolkit: Guidelines for Museums’ Museums Association, 2008

14. ‘Exeter Collections Review Fossil Provenance/Review report’, Nigel Larkin/Dean Lomax, 2013 and ‘RAMM Collections Review Report: Assessment criteria design/assessment of Jurassic fossils’, Larkin/Lomax, 2013