Object identification

The departmental study room offers opinions on objects submitted by members of the public, within the remit of our collections and expertise.

This service is available without prior appointment every Wednesday from 10.00–13.00 and 14.00–16.00.

The study room gets very busy and staff are only able to advise on a limited number of objects at any given time.

Please go to the Information Desk in the Great Court for directions to the department and to obtain a visitors' object pass.

Please note that there are different opening hours for the Horological Study Room and the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Study Room at Franks House. Please see the Study Room page for contact details.

Neither the Trustees of the British Museum nor members of staff can accept liability for opinions given on objects submitted for examination, or for information provided. They cannot give valuations and do not provide certificates of authenticity.

More information about objects from this period

For specific enquiries on the following subjects not represented by the department’s collection it is suggested you consult:

• Manuscripts and seal impressions: British Library http://www.bl.uk/ 
• Sculpture, costume, furniture and woodwork: Victoria and Albert Museum http://www.vam.ac.uk/
• Fossil, human and animal remains: Natural History Museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk 
• Rural history: Museum of English Rural Life, at Reading University http://www.reading.ac.uk/merl 
• Arms and armour: Royal Armouries http://www.royalarmouries.org/
• Military history and militaria: National Army Museum http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/ and Imperial War Museum http://www.iwm.org.uk/ 
• London: Museum of London http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ 
• Heraldic research: College of Arms http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/ 
• Family history: National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/  and http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/
• More information about other museums around the UK: http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/