Museum Misfits

Aberdeen Treasure Hub - Visit on an Open Day

Aberdeen’s museum and gallery collection holds more than 150,000 objects, collected over 140 years. Some reveal or represent moments in Aberdeen’s history, others are rare or unique. A few however, are ‘misfits’, and we need to decide if they should stay in the collections. This exhibition highlights some of the objects from the project and asks questions about their place in the collection

This project was made possible thanks to funding from Museums Galleries Scotland.

Curated by Jade Flannery and Thomas Megaw.

View Objects

Explore Me

Exhibition Text

We would like to know what you think. For example, should we keep damaged objects forever? And what about objects made from materials that weren't built to last?

Right now, we are taking a closer look at over 1,000 objects. We are considering their condition, rarity and historical importance, and confirming that we know where they have come from. This will help us to understand if Aberdeen’s collection is the best ‘fit’ for these objects or if they should be somewhere else.

Do you have any information to share about the objects on display? Do you have any thoughts

about whether they ‘fit’ in Aberdeen’s collection?

Exhibition Text

Mystery maker
Glassware can be difficult to identify. Makers do not brand their work with makers marks like ceramicists do. Identification relies on physical characteristics, which is how these Caithness Glass vases and Brockwitz fruit bowl were identified. 

Imitation game?
During the 1600s, Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain became popular in Europe.  When importing these pieces became difficult, imitations were produced. Some of these have become collectable, such as Dutch Delftware. Blue and white porcelain is still imitated today. 

Identity crisis
This tea set’s unusual design has been recently identified as Barvas Ware from the 1800s. Made on the Isle of Lewis like traditional craggans, pre-historic style vessels, but influenced by fine china, Barvas Ware was made by local women and ‘glazed’ with milk.

The show is over... 
This Zodiac Cape seems to be a theatre costume originally belonging to Peggy Walker. Despite their delicate craftsmanship, theatre costumes are not made to last beyond the performance they were designed for.

Past its use by date 
The speed of technological development means older models become outdated quickly. When the Apple 2e was released in 1983 it was the pinnacle of computing, introducing features such as upper and lower case and 80 column text. 

Mystery object
Unlike this violin, other musical instruments in the collection are made by prominent Aberdonian craftsmen; however, the origin and maker of this violin are unknown. 

Damaged Objects
Some objects, such as this Ming Dynasty roof tile, experience a high degree of wear throughout their life. For others such as this broken wooden hand, damage can make an object’s original function unclear. 

Who am I?
Personal photographs have huge personal sentimental value. However, the sitters in these photographs are unknown to us, as is the owner of this album.

A treasured possession?
Toys are always destined to be outgrown by their owners. Yet they provide a snapshot into the formative years of the owner’s life. Deciding the line between sentimental value and social historic value is a challenge.