Donating objects to the collection

The Wereldmuseum’s collection comprises over half a million objects and at least as many photographs. Together, they form an archive that reflects the workings of the world and serves as an inspiration to learn about how people live across the globe. The collection captures the history of relationships between people worldwide and their connection to the earth. We continue to receive objects and photographs from people who care deeply about the museum.

Policy for accepting objects and photographs

We cannot accept all the items offered to us for the collection. Therefore, please consider the following points before offering an object or photograph:

We can only accept objects and photographs if their provenance is known and the donor is the rightful owner.
We do not accept objects that contain human material. Objects containing animal material can only be considered if you provide a valid CITES certificate.
We do not accept objects that are brought to the museum in person or sent by post as donations.
When evaluating your offer, we will assess whether it complements and enriches our extensive collection.

Tax benefits

In some cases, donating or bequeathing objects and photographs may qualify for income tax or inheritance tax deductions in The Netherlands.

Further information

Are you considering donating an object or photograph to the museum? Please email us with a clear photo, a brief description, the current owner, the provenance, and the reason for your offer. If you have any questions about donating objects, we will be happy to assist you.

collectie@wereldculturen.nl

Donating objects to the collection