Does anyone have experience with a person claiming ownership of an artifact that was purchased for a museum collection from an idependent third party, ie an antiques dealer?

In other words, say an item is purchased by a museum for the collection from a third party. Later, a person approaches the museum and claims to be the true owner of that item.

What is the best response by the museum? Does the museum have to prove ownership in order to keep the item? Or does the individual have to prove ownership? And most importantly what side is the law generally on?

Thanks for any thoughts -- or direction to good sources that cover this topic.

Best,

B. Dicken

 

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