The University of Dundee's Museum Services will have their star objects recognised today when the Scottish Museums Council launches the first ever National Audit of Scotland's Museums and Galleries.
Funded by the Scottish Executive, the National Audit is the largest museum audit to be undertaken in Europe. It identifies over 12 million items in Scotland's museum collections, across the length and breadth of the country, representing a magnificent distributed national collection.
As well as detailing representative collections, the audit also lists the 'star' objects in each collection throughout the country - items of special historic, scientific, aesthetic or social value that are among the highlights of any museum collection.
Ten such star items are recorded from the University's Museum Collections, including colourful works of art by Scottish painters Peploe and McTaggart, rare zoological specimens like the extinct Huia Birds, and early medical instruments from the Medical History Museum at Ninewells.
More than 500 further objects have been identified as being of UK-wide or international significance.
The Audit covers 170 organisations and 435 sites across Scotland including independent museums, local authority services and large national organisations.
Matthew Jarron, curator of Museum Services at the University said, "Scotland's museums are among its greatest assets, and no other country has even attempted a project on this scale. It involved a lot of work for every museum curator, but the knowledge we'll gain will certainly make it worthwhile, and it will provide clear indications to the Scottish Executive of the importance of sustained funding for these national treasures."
Jane Ryder, Scottish Museums Council Director said,"Star items such as James Sant's painting 'The Student' from Dundee University Museum Collections add an interesting personal dimension to our in-depth picture of Scottish Museums and highlights how certain museum objects have a particular appeal.
"While the Audit has been an enormous challenge, it has been extremely worthwhile. The importance of the results cannot be overestimated in demonstrating both the extent of our distributed national collection and the contribution the museums sector makes to our cultural, economic and social life."
Note to Editors
STAR ITEMS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
Pair of Huia Birds (stuffed) - this species is now extinct so these are extremely rare (possibly unique).
Fossil skull of Icthyosaur - a well-preserved and very rare specimen.
Pond and Dudgeon Sphymographs, and Mackenzie Polygraph - a rare collection of the earliest instruments used to give accurate measurements of the arterial pulse.
"Christ Mocked" by Edward Burra - a stunning watercolour by one of the most distinctive artists of the last century.
"Lobster Fishers, Macrihanish Bay" by William McTaggart - one of the most popular and admired paintings in the University Collections.
"Roses and Still Life" by S J Peploe - a superb example of Peploe's colourist work.
"The Student" by James Sant - a gorgeous portrait often used as an iconic representation of the University Collections.
Red & Blue Chair designed by G Rietveld - one of the most important works in our collection of 20th century design furniture.