Adopt an object launch to help fund family activities at Derbyshire museums

More than 30 objects on display in the Civic Hall in Derby’s Museum of Making can be adopted.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson, from television’s Bargain Hunt, has become one of the first people to back Derby Museums’ Adopt an Object initiative. Etwall-based antiques expert Charles chose the Derbyshire Blue John fluorite paperweight with a gilded 1826 shilling.

Charles, who is Derby Museums’ ambassador, said: “From object creation to provenance, the journey for a work of art goes on and I am delighted to Adopt an Object in the Museum of Making. The museum captures the essence of Derby and our passion for being hands on with history and I am proud to be a small part of it.”

Also on the list is an unusual salt glaze stoneware jug, which was designed to present the drinker with a puzzle as to how to pour the contents without spilling anything. Other items include everything from a flat iron to a Derby porcelain poodle.

Each is available to adopt across different price ranges, starting at £30, and can be adopted by a number of different people. All adopters receive a digital image of their object, digital certificate, and recognition of the adoption featured alongside the object on the Derby Museums from Home microsite.

Sally Hawley, head of collections at Derby Museums, said: “Support from adoptees will help us to keep making history and inspire the makers of the future.

“Adopting an object is the perfect gift for the history-lovers in your life. Whether you are looking for an unusual birthday or Christmas present or a literally historic gift there should be something to suit most tastes.”

For more details on how to Adopt an Object and to browse the items available, visit https://www.derbymuseumsfromhome.com/adopt-an-object-in-the-museum-of-making or call 01332 641901.

Derby Museums is an independent charitable trust that manages three museums in the city, the Museum and Art Gallery, Pickford’s House and the new Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill and holds and curates all the art and collections within them, including the world’s largest collection of paintings by Joseph Wright of Derby,