Preliminary investigation, prioritisation, initial research (VPE II)

The systematic cataloguing of the museum collection is an ongoing process. This new project focuses on groups of objects such as clocks, scientific instruments, coins and medals.

Other key areas of the project include research into individuals who have received little attention to date but who play an important role in the HMB’s collection. In addition, potential contexts of injustice with colonial links or breaches of the 1970 UNESCO Convention are being investigated. Furthermore, two objects from the completed project ‘Preliminary Screening, Prioritisation, Initial Research I’ (VPE I) are being included, as their provenance requires further research.

The completed VPE I project laid important foundations for provenance research at the HMB. The current project will also contribute significant insights. Due to the wide variety of object types in the museum – ranging from furniture, ceramics, clocks and toys to weapons, household items and coins – the individual characteristics, requirements and trade networks of the respective object groups must be taken into account. Depending on the object type, different contexts of injustice must also be taken into account.

Two objects from the VPE I project have been selected for further investigation, as they originate from Jewish collections and the changes of ownership during the critical period between 1933 and 1945 cannot yet be fully documented.

To trace the history of objects, previous owners must be investigated, as they – regardless of whether they are collectors or dealers – are crucial for assessing the legitimacy of provenance. To make informed decisions, biographies must be examined and, where necessary, supplemented.

• Duration: January 2026 – December 2027
• Participants: Renato Moser, Patrick Moser, curators, conservators-restorers
• Objective: Research into objects in the collection, gaining experience in provenance research on new types of objects, and deepening knowledge of previous owners.
• Funding: Canton of Basel-Stadt, framework expenditure authorisation for active provenance research in the cantonal museums of Basel-Stadt for the years 2023 to 2026/29