Identifying and Caring for your Treasures

Did you know...

...that the staff of Leicestershire Museums Arts and Records Service can help you to identify most types of artefacts and advise you about how to care for them?

What to do...

In order to carry out an identification, we would prefer to see the object itself. In the case of a small, portable object you can take it to any of the buildings listed in the section called 'getting in touch'. You will be asked  to fill in a form and leave your item with us so that it canbe passed on to the member of staff who will be able to identify it. If your object  is toolarge to move, we may be able to identify it from a good quality photograph

What happens next?

Because our staff work throughout the County, your identification may have to be sent to another building. The curator will prepare a written report for you and youcan collect your objectfrom the place where you left it.

The identification should take no longer than six weeks. If your object requires further research we will contact you to let you know how we are getting on.

If you feel that you cannot leave your object you should make an appointment to see the relevant curator; our front of house staff willbe able to help you get in touch with the right person.

What is it worth?

Unfortunately we are unable to give estimates or valualtions, either for insurance purposes or sales. We would advise you to contact a local dealer or auction house that should be able to help you. You can find details of these services in your local phone book.

How to look after it

?

We can advise you how to look after those things in your home that are precious to you. It could be that you'd like advice about great-grandma's christening robe or wedding veil, a family photograph album, a favourite picture or a childhood toy. We would normally prefer to give this advice in person and you can make an appointment with one of our conservation staff, either at:

The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland (for photographs, maps, documents and manuscripts etc)

The Conservation Section ( for all other objects) by phoning 01455 554797

What is it?

Do you have anything at home that you've always wanted to know more about? It may be something that you've had in your family for years, something that you bought at a car boot sale or something that you'vefound in the garden or on the beach. The Museums Service has experts in a wide variety of subjects and normally we can help with identification of:

If we are not able to find out anything about your object we will try to put you in touch with someone who can help.

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