Official recognition for university collections

Monday 15 July 2002

*Pic caption – Mace of St Salvator’s College, 1461*

The University of St Andrews holds the 13th largest collection of museum objects of national and international significance in Scotland, according to the results of a national audit.

Funded by the Scottish Executive and managed by the Scottish Museums Council, the National Audit is the largest museum audit to be undertaken in Europe. It identifies over 12 million objects held in museums throughout Scotland which form part of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

The University also holds over 50 items named as “star” objects for their individual significance. These include the three medieval maces used at graduations; the world’s earliest split seconds clock, made by Joseph Knibb in 1673; the ‘Parliament’ chair, the only surviving piece of furniture with associations with the pre- Union Scottish Parliament; and a rare North American bark basket acquired in 1728.

University Curator Helen Rawson said, “I am delighted that the importance of the University collections has been recognised in the Audit. We will continue to work to ensure their interpretation and preservation for future generations”.

The collections will be displayed to the public through permanent and temporary exhibitions in the proposed new University of St Andrews Museum in the Gateway Centre, St Andrews.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS – Photographs of items mentioned above available from Helen Rawson – telephone 01334 462417.

Issued by Beattie Media on behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information please contact Claire Grainger on 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or email [email protected] Ref: audit/standrews/chg/16july2002


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