Collections

Welcome to our online catalogue!

This website will allow you to search the collections of Colchester + Ipswich Museums.

We hold over 200,000 records of objects, documents, artefacts and specimens: from Natural Science collections spanning millions of years, to a wide range of Social History objects. Significant collections include the internationally important Roman archaeology from Colchester, to world-class Art in Ipswich.

Search the Collection

A close up of the Colchester Vase. Two gladiators appear to be fighting

Collections Online

Our online catalogue is a work in progress, so there may be errors or incomplete records. We are continuing to update it and increase the number of records for you to search.

We hope you enjoy exploring. Why not start with one of our highlighted collections? These showcase local records and objects from recent exhibitions!

Start Your Search

A photograph of the World Cultures Gallery at Ipswich Museum. Cases include mannequins wearing pieces of costume and weapons

Cautionary Notice

Historic terminology for cataloguing objects and belongings are recorded on this database and some of the language is discriminatory, offensive and upsetting.

We keep the historic terminology to allow us to see how people in the past perceived the world around them. We are working towards ensuring voices other than the Museums are reflected in the database.

Use of Images

If you wish to use an image for any other purpose, including non-commercial use or commercial benefit, then enquiries can be made to:

museums@colchester.gov.uk

A circular jet pendant. Carved in the centre are two figures crouched over a pot

Takedown Requests

We aim to ensure we have permission to publish all images on our collections site.

If you believe you hold rights to any images, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information

Can We Help You?

Exploring our database might inspire questions about an object, or area of the collection. If we can, we will do our best to answer them.

Please contact our Collections and Learning team by emailing:

Colchester: collections@colchester.gov.uk

Ipswich: ipswichcollections@colchester.gov.uk

Can You Help Us?

If you have any information about the objects or belongings on our database that will help us understand them better, or would like information corrected, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact our Collections and Learning team by emailing:

Colchester: collections@colchester.gov.uk

Ipswich: ipswichcollections@colchester.gov.uk

A painting of a tree lined bridge with a building in the distance on the left

Thank You

Over the years, a variety of organisations have supported Colchester + Ipswich Museums to acquire objects. Their generosity enables us to continue collecting, improving how we tell local stories and represent communities.

For more information

Venues

Colchester Museums

With a unique mix of fascinating displays, the latest technology and hands-on activities, there is lots for your family to explore and discover across Colchester Museums’ three sites.

Visit

Ipswich Museums

Covering thousands of years of both human and natural history, there is so much for families to discover across Ipswich Museums’ three venues.