Object identification

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

From 12 January 2009 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.

LINKS TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS

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

British Library http://www.bl.uk/  for manuscripts and seal impressions.
Victoria & Albert Museum http://www.vam.ac.uk/  for sculpture, costume, furniture and woodwork.
Natural History Museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk  for fossil, human and animal remains.
Museum of English Rural Life, at Reading University http://www.reading.ac.uk/merl  for rural history.
Royal Armouries http://www.royalarmouries.org/ for arms and armour.
National Army Museum http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/ and Imperial War Museum http://www.iwm.org.uk/  for military history and militaria.
Museum of London http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/  for the history of London.
College of Arms http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/  for heraldic research.
National Archives http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/  for family history and http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/
For Museums around the UK on the web, try http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/