Commodes, a tutu and an asparagus holder - or a local arts prize?

By Stuart Bonar, on Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I like to use the Freedom of Information Act to do my duty as an active citizen and have a little dig around. A few months ago I asked for a copy of what’s in Plymouth city council’s museum and art collection, and I was quite surprised by what I got back.

There is much in the city’s museum and art collection that is unique, irreplaceable and which reflects our local history. The bell that belonged to East Stonehouse’s town crier, Devonport’s old mayoral and deputy mayoral chains, and maces for Plymouth that date back to the early 1600s, for example.

I am often surprised at how few people know modern Plymouth’s origins as three separate towns; these items could help explain that history. There are also a great many items from Plymouth’s various twinned cities around the World, and many drawings, paintings and prints depicting local scenes as well as ones which celebrate our maritime history.

There is a lot however that, quite frankly, should be either sold or given away. Should the city’s collection really include 13 armchairs, nine ashtrays, five beds, 22 belt buckles, seven commodes, a drawing of a rejected design for Manchester town hall, a tutu, 243 jugs, three rolling pins, 146 sauceboats, a money box in the shape of US president Abraham Lincoln, an asparagus holder, and instructions for a sewing machine… but no actual sewing machine?

I’m not for a second suggesting a fire sale of valuables. I think, however, a thorough review of the 25,000+ items in the city’s collection, which has an insurance valuation of over £33 million and costs an estimated £44,000 per year just to keep in storage, could result in a slimming down of the collection, cutting insurance costs and the cost of storage, hopefully generating some additional funds too.

With the money raised and saved I would like to see a local art prize established, which could also include the opportunity to have the winning entry act as the centrepiece of a specially curated exhibition at the city’s art gallery. That strikes me as something much more valuable to Plymouth than having a few commodes, rolling pins and some instructions for a non-existent sewing machine all gathering dust in a storage facility somewhere.