Because of the many potential threats to objects on exhibit from dirt, water, pests and visitors, as well as variations in humidity and temperature, it is our policy to require Anthropology Department objects on loan to be exhibited in securely closed (sometimes climate controlled) cases. We sometimes make exceptions if the borrowers can convincingly show how these threats will be mitigated by security, design, etc. Of course the last time we did that I got a telephone call from the borrower about having to room a spit ball from one of our objects.... Janice Klein Registrar, Dept of Anthropology The Field Museum [log in to unmask]