Purpose

This decision relates to one new loan request
and two loan renewals for items in the Ipswich Borough Council
Museum collections.
 
1. The Hold, Suffolk
Archives (IPSMG.LO.2024.04)
This loan is for a
temporary exhibition, Crime and Punishment, and relates to fourteen
objects in the Ipswich Borough Council collections – the list
of items are in the PDF attached.
 
The exhibition is
in its early planning stages, but will focus on themes such as
transportation, the justice system and crime prevention.
 
A feature of the
exhibition will be the story of Margaret Catchpole, a local woman
who served the Cobbold family and was arrested for stealing a horse
and escaping Ipswich Goal before being transported to Australia.
The exhibition will highlight her experiences and bring together
relevant items from a range of institutions to illustrate her
journey.
 
The exhibition
provides an opportunity to display Ipswich Museum objects, of which
all but one are currently in store, whilst Ipswich Museum is under
redevelopment and continue a mutually beneficial relationship with
Suffolk Archives.
 
2. Colchester Castle
Museum (IPSMG:LO.2022.4)
IPSMG:R.1895.22 – Wooden ducking chair,
pre-1830 from the Old Customs House, Ipswich
 
Background:
In 2022 Ipswich
leant four items to Colchester Castle Museum for the temporary
exhibition ‘Wicked Spirits’, developed in partnership
with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic at Boscastle in Cornwall.
The exhibition was well received with over 3600 visitors (as part
of the general visitor figures with Castle entry). Staff would like
to continue to display IPSMG:R.1895.22 – Ducking chair in
Colchester Castle Museum, continuing to tell its’ story.
 
The chair was on
display in Ipswich Museum and would go into storage if it returned
to Ipswich whilst the Museum is closed for redevelopment.
 
The extension of
the loan agreement for this object, therefore, provides an
opportunity to promote Ipswich Museum’s collection,
particularly while Ipswich Museum is closed to the public for a
major redevelopment, whilst increasing the public’s
knowledge, understanding and appreciation of social history.
 
3. National Horse
Racing Museum, Newmarket (LO.2015.02)
 
Background
The National Horse
Racing Museum have requested the renewal of the loan of The Hawking
Party by Jan Wyck, c. 1700, oil on canvas (IPSMG: R.1935.304).
Displayed in the Packard Galleries, Palace House, the Hawking Party
forms an integral part of the displays and is well received by
visitors. Ipswich Museum staff have no current plans for use should
it be returned.
 
The decision to
approve this request is subject to updated environmental readings
being sent for review by the Conservation Officer and confirmation
that appropriate insurance is still in place.

Decision

1. The Hold, Suffolk
Archives (IPSMG.LO.2024.04)
 
To approve the loan of items:
 
Loan commences: 13th October 2025
Loan ends: 23rd Jan 2026
Exhibition dates: 25 Oct 2025 –
18 Jan 2026
 
2. Colchester Castle
Museum (IPSMG:LO.2022.4)
Approve:
Loan commences: 30th June 2024
Loan ends: 30th June 2026
 
3. National Horse
Racing Museum, Newmarket (LO.2015.02)
Approve. The decision made is to agree the
renewal of the loan of this painting. This loan provides an
opportunity to promote Ipswich Museum’s collection to a wider
audience.