In this thought-provoking work, historian Justin M. Jacobs challenges the widely accepted belief that many of Western museums' treasures were acquired by imperialist plunder and theft. His account re-examines the allegedly immoral provenance of Western collections, advocating for a nuanced understanding of how artefacts reached Western shores. Jacobs examines the perspectives of Chinese, Egyptian and other participants in the global antiquities trade over the past two and a half centuries, revealing that Western collectors were often willingly embraced by locals. This collaborative dynamic, largely ignored by contemporary museum critics, unfolds a narrative that may lead to hope and promise for a brighter, more equitable future.
| ISBN: | 9781836391081 |
| Publication date: | 22nd September 2025 |
| Author: | Justin Jacobs |
| Publisher: | Reaktion Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 216 pages |
| Genres: |
Museology and heritage studies History |
In this thought-provoking work, historian Justin M. Jacobs challenges the widely accepted belief that many of Western museums' treasures were acquired by imperialist plunder and theft. His account re-examines the allegedly immoral provenance of Western collections, advocating for a nuanced understanding of how artefacts reached Western shores. Jacobs examines the perspectives of Chinese, Egyptian and other participants in the global antiquities trade over the past two and a half centuries, revealing that Western collectors were often willingly embraced by locals. This collaborative dynamic, largely ignored by contemporary museum critics, unfolds a narrative that may lead to hope and promise for a brighter, more equitable future.
Plunder? features in the following genres: History, Museology and heritage studies
Plunder? is available in Paperback
Plunder? was written by Justin Jacobs and published by Reaktion Books
Plunder? has 216 pages
£9.89