Perhaps it would help to remember that "freely given" body parts (e.g., hair
used for ornamenting war shirts) are NOT considered human remains subject to
repatriation under NAGPRA.  While the idea of selling something as personal
as a funerary hair wreath on the open market may make some feel a bit
squeamish (it's certainly not something I would collect), I'm sure lockets
with (someone else's) hair in them are sold all the time.

Once it has been determined that an object should be deaccessioned (for any
of the reasons outlined in the institutional deaccession policy), then it is
the Board's responsibility to make sure that the disposition of the object
does not diminish in any significant way the value of the collection (e.g.,
if the object is valuable then it is their responsibility to make sure that
something of equal value -- usually money -- replaces it).  Perhaps a bit of
research into the market value of Victorian funereal keepsakes, coupled with
some frank discussion of the possibility of bad publicity might persuade the
Board that selling the wreaths is not the best option.

janice

Janice Klein
Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Kendall College
[log in to unmask]
www.mitchellmuseum.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Sharon
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 9:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Deaccessioning Hair Wreaths


I agree with you regarding the personal nature of these items.  The
majority of hair jewelry, wreaths, etc. were associated with the death
of a loved one and (in my opinion) should be treated with the respect
due any funerary artifact.  Whether or not the hair wreath is funeral or
death related, this is an historical artifact that was donated or
purchased for it's historical value....if donated, I'm sure the donor
thought that by placing it in a museum it would receive proper
care/treatment.  Isn't that what museums are suppose to do....preserve
and protect history for future generations?   The only possible disposal
of this item should be to transfer ownership to another museum that has
need of this form of artifact.  If you cannot locate a museum in Indiana
that has need of this....we would be happy to have it in our collection!

Sharon
Belle Meade Plantation
Nashville, TN

Jeremy T. Chrabascz wrote:

>We are currently in a position to deaccession a couple of hair wreaths from
>the permanent collection.  Our preferred method of disposition would always
>be to transfer them to another cultural institution in need (by statute,
>another institution in Indiana).  However, our Collection Review Committee
>also discussed, should we be unable to transfer or exchange them, other
>possible means of disposition.
>
>As of now, the State requires the use of a state sale and the state surplus
>system.  For this particular type of material, as Curator I am not
>comfortable selling it.  I WOULD LIKE TO GET OTHER PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS ON
>THIS ETHICAL DILEMMA.
>
>To me, many hair wreaths are of a very personal nature akin to Native
>funerary objects (associated or unassociated).  Just because they were
>produced by non-Native peoples should not make them any less culturally
>sensitive, in my view.  Not all hair work was produced for mourning but
>many of them were.  Objects of such a personal nature, in my view, should
>not be sold or treated as a commodity...at least not by a museum
>(unfortunately, there are many of them popping up on eBay these days).
>
>Would anyone else be opposed to the sale of such items?  Should we be?
>
>Another possible method of disposition would be physical destruction or
>destructive analysis.  That is, it was recommended that Conservation might
>have use for the items for examination/instruction.
>
>Return to the donor, in this case, is not possible.
>
>Thank you for your time and consideration.
>
>Jeremy T. Chrabascz, Curator of Furnishings
>Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites

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