Plunder? How Museums Got Their Treasures

In this thought-provoking new 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.

Justin M. Jacobs is Professor of History at American University, Washington DC. He specialises in China and the Silk Road, teaching courses on modern China, the Japanese empire, the history of archaeological expeditions, world heritage sites, and voyages of exploration in the Pacific. 

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