‘To study antiques there are no real guidelines, but you need to know your periods, Valuations: you need to understand valuation, Identification: you need to be able to identify an item.’
A statement from Eric Knowles during a lecture at the University of Lancashire ‘he also pointed out that antiques have entered the world of “information”’.
‘”We therefore
recommend that the DCMS should fund and co-ordinate a campaign of education,
to include all interested parties, in order to raise awareness about the illicit
trade in cultural objects.”’
[178]
The issue of education is not limited to information from academic sources; the government imply there is a lack of awareness relating to the laws affecting the trading market place.
There are a number of different learning facilities providing an array of qualifications. Recognition by the trade is dependant on the size of the business. The completion of a further education course normally requires a term of employment within the industry. Local government and adult education bodies [179] including the Open University offer courses ranging from Antiques (152), Collectables (19) and History of Art (2,113). A number of these courses are available on line and a few provide an approved qualification. General National Vocations Qualification (GNVQ) and Vocational Certificate of Education (VCE) are being offered in the Art and Design and Construction and the Built Environment [180] .
Two institutions
[181]
within the general market area of antiques and valuation
offer degree level courses. There are over 200 History of Art degrees courses
available in the UK for 2004
[182]
. A number of other subject related courses after offer by
UK Universities and Colleges that are either culture or subject matter related.
The art or antique content of these cannot be qualified or quantified without
extensive research
[183]
.
There are a large number of part-time courses in particular subject areas
or manufacturer related, that offer no formal qualification, ranging from a
day, weekend or distance learning for up to 12 weeks. Normally television personalities’
promotion machines run these. The courses include a complete cross section of
discussion and often involve a factory or museum visit. The Women Institute
[184]
is another provider of education, presentations and talks
outside of the established educational bodies. They provide two competitively
prices courses Treasures of the Ashmolean and Antiques
[185]
. There are other education resources including specialist
holidays by coach
[186]
within Europe and organised trips to antiquity.
The traditional route of apprenticeship is offered by larger establishments as well as courses run by a number of auction house academies. This include Sotheby’s institute [187] with a cross section of courses from DIP, MA and public short-term courses. Ten years later Christies opened their doors for education and are similar to Sotheby’s in style and credits. Larger provincial auction houses also run one day and weekend courses.
Previously the two main bodies for loss adjusting were ISVA [188] and RICS [189] now merged under the RICS organisation. There are a number of routes to becoming a member of these associations and are dependent on previous skills, education and duration in the market. The majority of other associations such as SOFFA [190] require two years professional practice. There is currently no legal requirement for members of the trade to obtain a professional qualification.
The majority of Auction houses do not provide or fund education for employees.
Dealers are of a similar frame of mind. A handful will fund part time or distance
learning courses. Whilst others believe they are funding the education through
employment and the time spent teaching new staff during the operational period.
In the main most implied that the devise objects and request that arrive
daily to the premises support their own CPD
[191]
and that of staff. Occasionally they and their staff may
attend a lecture/speech in the area. Some have made the effort to attend ‘Due
Diligence’ talks and similar events when they have the time. New regulations
and other market issues are viewed in the trade press, often supplemented by
word of mouth. The friendly solicitor who is being wined and dined to bring
business into the saleroom normally prompts business law and issues. Those interviewed
express that there is no need for professional training as the vast majority
of learning is done by handling objects and resolving situations as and when
they arise. The handful of dealers agreed that this is the case
[192]
.
Training law enforcement officers has been in progress for a number of
years organised by Philip Saunders and originally held in Exeter, before moving
to Netley Hampshire’s Police training head quarters
[193]
. Later moving to Southampton Institute and then to
the West Midlands. In recent years held at New Scotland Yard. The annual
event has reduced from a five to four day event that discusses policing issues
and has a number of lectures in identifying art and antiques
[194]
.
Over the last decade a number of different funds initiatives have been applied to the museum institutions the latest is a ‘£7 million boost for museums education’ announced on the 23rd of April 2004 [xxviii] . The funding is intended to support activities for visiting school children. A large number of the museums are privately funded as well as local or national government providing learning packs and have tailored these to the National Curriculum [195] .
The union between museums and education is a topic that will be assisted by the ‘museums education’ project. This may reflect the general students ability/attitude towards learning as the subject matter may be a touch and feel process, rather than the traditional textbook environment. [196] The lack of historical knowledge may be the reason for the growth in new markets being created through knowledge of modern collectables, as opposed to educating or gaining an understanding of the historical objects.