The North Otago Museum might sell what is probably the world's biggest single collection of Temuka Pottery.
The museum has about 1000 pieces and is regarded as its "unofficial museum" by the Temuka-based company New Zealand Insulators, which manufactured Temuka Pottery from the 1930s.
The collection was valued at $86,000 last year, but market value could be more, with one piece considered to be worth more than $10,000 and others more than $1000.
The main reason behind the move is that the collection has no local significance.
The Waitaki District Council community services committee took the first step on Wednesday, when the matter was discussed in the public-excluded section of the meeting.
De-accessioning of the collection - a process, set out in North Otago Museum policy, to remove an object or objects from the museum - was discussed in private "to enable the council to carry out commercial negotiations without prejudice or disadvantage.
Premature disclosure of the information would detrimentally affect the council's position in negotiations," the meeting agenda said.
However, it is understood it was also to avoid publicity before those who had donated items to the collection had been consulted.
The collection was established, and items added, using a 1984 bequest from the late Ivy Pollard. Temuka Pottery also donated a substantial number of items over the years. Some date to the 1930s.
Community services committee chairwoman Pam Spite confirmed yesterday the committee's recommendation the collection be de-accessioned would be considered by the whole council, probably at its next meeting on May 19.
Cr Spite said the issue was whether the collection was appropriate to the museum and North Otago when the pottery was manufactured in Temuka. There was also a shortage of storage space at the museum and proceeds from the disposal of the collection could be used to enhance other collections.
South Canterbury Museum director Philip Howe said, when contacted, yesterday no formal approach had been made to his museum about buying the collection. Until that had been done, he could not comment.
Asked what he meant by a "formal approach", Mr Howe said there "may have been informal talks".
Asked whether his museum would be interested, he said: "Quite possibly, but because money is involved, that is a decision the [Timaru District] Council will make."
NZ Insulators Ltd general manager Robin Heron was unaware the North Otago Museum was considering disposing of the collection and said the company would want to be consulted.
He was opposed to the collection being "broken up".
"It's iconic kiwiana. We recognise it as an unofficial company museum, that's why we donated so many pieces. When people contact us and ask where there is a collection of Temuka pottery, we point them there [to Oamaru]," he said.
The collection was started by former North Otago Museum director Bruce McCulloch, who was aware there had been talk about disposing of the collection, but did not want to comment.
Apart from a small exhibition at the Forrester Gallery in 2004, it has never been fully exhibited or promoted.
The collection includes ashtrays and pipe tobacco humidors, some produced as promotional items for companies, items with Maori motifs, pieces made for restaurants, companies, government departments and cups and saucers for New Zealand Railways.
