Decision details

A loan request for four items from the Ipswich Borough Council collection has been received from Colchester Museums (LO.2022.4). The items requested are as follows:

IPSMG:R.1895.22 – Wooden ducking chair, pre-1830 from the Old Customs House, Ipswich

IPSMG:CCM.2009.246 – Glass ‘witch bottle’

IPSMG:R.1964.6 – Bellarmine stoneware ‘witch bottle’ from Ipswich

IPSMG:R.2012.5 – Desiccated cat concealed in a building at Grange Farm Cottage, Stowupland and found in 1973 during demolition, 16th/17th century date.

The items are required for a forthcoming temporary exhibition at Colchester Castle Museum entitled ‘Witchcraft and Magic’. This looks at the long-held belief that people could use supernatural powers to help or harm those around them. Attitudes towards these people have changed significantly throughout history, creating the image of ‘the witch’ that we have today. This exhibition is being developed in partnership with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic at Boscastle in Cornwall.

The ducking chair is currently on display in the Victorian gallery at Ipswich Museum. The other items are in store.

The decision made is to agree the loan of these four artefacts. This loan provides an opportunity to promote Ipswich’s collection, particularly while Ipswich Museum is closed to the public for redevelopment, whilst increasing the public’s knowledge, understanding and appreciation of social history.

Loan to commence: 4 July 2022

Loan ends: 10 March 2023

Exhibition opens: 16 July 2022

Exhibition closes: 26 February 2023