The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University underscores the importance of provenance research in responsibly managing its collection. This research traces the history of an object’s ownership to verify authenticity, context, and cultural significance, while addressing unethical historical collecting practices. The museum aims to fully document an object’s history, acknowledging that gaps are common, especially with older pieces. Ongoing research and new findings continually update the museum’s knowledge. The Carlos is committed to resolving ownership issues proactively and ethically, collaborating with governments, Native American tribes, and other stakeholders to address claims of looted or illegally acquired items. The museum focuses particularly on Nazi-era provenance research to ensure proper restitution and ethical stewardship.
Provenance Research
