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This institution also provides a list of works with incomplete provenance during the period 1933-1945.
BOWES MUSEUM
Designated collection
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8NP
CONTACT
Dr Howard Coutts, Keeper of Ceramics
Tel: 01833 690606
Fax: 01833 637163
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION
- Fine Art, especially French, Spanish, Dutch and Flemish 17th to 19th centuries, Italian 16th to 19th centuries
- Decorative/Applied Art, 17th to 19th century, particularly French, furniture, ceramics and textiles
- Archaeology of local area
1. OVERALL PLANS
PARTS OF COLLECTION EXCLUDED
The Museum's collections mainly pre-date 1933, having been collection by Josephine and John Bowes in the 19th century. Many objects acquired since that date are objects of local or regional provenance, with low value.
Items of local history and provenance will therefore be excluded.
INITIAL FOCUS FOR RESEARCH
Fine Art items costing over £100 acquired since 1933.
TIMESCALE FOR RESEARCH
Research began in August 1999 and is ongoing. Initial enquiries finished.
2. RESEARCH PLANNED IN TARGET AREAS
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Letters requesting provenance to vendors of items costing over £100 acquired since 1933.
3. INFORMATION ON MAKING GENERAL ENQUIRIES ABOUT COLLECTION
As above.
ARCHIVES
The Bowes Museum has an archive relating to the founders, John and Josephine Bowes, and their lives in France in the 19th century. It also has records relating to the museum in the 20th century. Few acquisitions, other than local gifts, were made in the period 1892-1956. Under the Trusteeship of Durham County Council (1956 onwards), a policy of purchasing European fine and decorative arts of the 17th and 18th century was initiated.
PRESS OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS
As Above.