Plunder?: How Museums Got Their Treasures

Justin M. Jacobs challenges the belief that Western museums' treasures were acquired by imperialist plunder and theft, advocating for a nuanced understanding of how artefacts reached Western shores. He examines the perspectives of Chinese, Egyptian, and other participants in the global antiquities trade, revealing that Western collectors were often willingly embraced by locals. This collaborative dynamic unfolds a narrative of hope and promise for a brighter, more equitable future.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2024
Publisher: Reaktion Books

Justin M. Jacobs' groundbreaking new work challenges the prevailing notion that Western museums' prized possessions were obtained through imperialist plunder and theft. By re-examining the controversial provenance of Western collections, Jacobs advocates for a more nuanced understanding of how artifacts reached Western shores. Through his exploration of the perspectives of Chinese, Egyptian, and other participants in the global antiquities trade over the past two and a half centuries, Jacobs reveals that Western collectors were often welcomed by locals. This collaborative dynamic, often overlooked by contemporary museum critics, paints a narrative of hope and promise for a more equitable and prosperous future, offering a compelling reassessment of one of the Enlightenment's foundational institutions.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 225 x 150 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789149487