NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

National Army Museum
Royal Hospital Road
LONDON SW3 4HT

Contact for enquiries about Holocaust or WWII Spoliation:

Jenny Spencer-Smith, Head of the Dept. of Fine and Decorative Art.
Tel 020-7730-0717 x2213
Fax 020- 7823-6573

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION

Under the terms of the Museum's Royal Charter, the Museum collects objects and records relating to the history and traditions of the British Army (i.e. the Standing Army, Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers, Territorial Army of the British Islands, Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve of the United Kingdom, the Indian army and Armies of the East India Company, and the Land Forces of the Sovereign and Her predecessors possessions beyond the seas (Commonwealth Forces) to Independence. The collection includes uniforms, badges, medals, weapons, equipment and vehicles, printed books, archives, photographs, film and audio material, fine and decorative art.

1. OVERALL PLANS

A Areas which could contain looted items
The Art Collections are the only area considered for the purpose of this report.

It is not thought that the remainder of the collections will require particular research because of their nature and the Museum's Acquisition Policy.

B Areas excluded and why
Collections consist of items and records relating to the history of the British Army, (including the Indian Army and Armies of the East India Company and Commonwealth Forces to the time of their Independence) which are highly unlikely to have been of interest to European collectors. In the first instance and unless there is reason to suspect the provenance of any area of the collections, or if requested to investigate any such one, all of the Museum's collections are regarded as excluded other than the holdings of oil paintings which are subject to a specific assessment with regard to provenance.

The non-art based collections of the museum have been excluded; they consist of British Army issue items of clothing and war-like stores.

C Target areas and timetable for research
The National Army Museum's Department of Fine and Decorative Art is currently carrying out a provenance check in relation to the collection of oil paintings as part of the development of the new Museum-wide database. Particular consideration will be given to identifying any possible 'candidates' requiring research in connection with spoliation. This work will be complete by 2001.

For reasons given above, there is no reason to believe that there any other items in the collection, acquired from whatever source, which may be of suspicious or doubtful provenance.

2. RESEARCH CARRIED OUT OR BEING CARRIED OUT IN TARGET AREAS.

A Process and sources for initial checks from information readily to hand
Paper records relating to acquisition of oil paintings were checked and, where appropriate, secondary reference sources from the library and primary reference sources within the museum's own collection and The National Archives etc.

B Description of checks being carried out beyond desk research
None found to be necessary at this stage.

3. INFORMATION REGARDING PROGRESS IN TARGET AREA

A. No. of items in target area
550 pictures.

B. No. of items where provenance has been tested satisfactorily.
226 pictures.

The items from the collection of oil paintings that have now been satisfactorily investigated for provenance are drawn principally from those selected for current displays in the Museum at Chelsea and the Indian Army Memorial Room and other displays at the Museum's Outstation at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

C. No. of items where initial checks on provenance are still being made from internal sources and information readily to hand.
Approx 19 works are currently subject to research. The remainder of the collection of oil paintings is being checked as it is researched for the Museum's new database and also for forthcoming redisplays such as the core collection in the Art Gallery. With the current refurbishment of the Art Gallery in Chelsea it is hoped to complete the check next year.

D. No. of items for which initial research can be taken no further and additional information is being sought from external sources.
Approximately 62 pictures.

4. INFORMATION ON MAKING GENERAL ENQUIRIES OR ABOUT COLLECTIONS

A. Contact for all enquiries about Holocaust or WWII Spoliation
Jenny Spencer-Smith,
Head of the Dept. of Fine and Decorative Art.
Tel 020-7730-0717 x2213
Fax 020-7823-6573

B. Details of Published catalogues and how to get access to them
Special Exhibition Catalogues mainly. There is no published catalogue of oil paintings as yet but it is hoped to place database with images on the museum's new website: http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk

C. How to make enquiries about collections
Members of the public can apply for a Reader's Ticket and visit the Reading Room to consult the library-based collections (which includes photographs of the Museum's oil paintings); they may contact any curatorial department to enquire about items in the collections. Future plans include placing details of paintings and sword collections on the Internet, and for there to be direct public access to the computer database within the Museum at the earliest opportunity.

D. Archives
The National Army Museum has been appointed as a Place of Deposit under the Public Records Act for the Museum's own administrative records. It is intended that files selected for permanent preservation will be made available, in accordance with the usual closure rules, to researchers, but no permanent arrangements have yet been made.

Inquiries should be addressed either to:
Dr Peter Boyden,
Assistant Director (Collections),
or to
Miss Kate Wood, of the Department of Archives,
Photographs, Film and Sound:
Tel: 020 7730 0717 x 2241.
kwood@national-army-museum.ac.uk

E. Press office contact
Julian Humphrys
Tel 020-7730-0717 x2210

F. Address of the Institution
National Army Museum
Royal Hospital Road
LONDON SW3 4HT

G. Website
http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk