A new module of the exhibition, entitled „Imitations and Forgeries of Amber”, will open to the public on 6 December. It will take us into the world of forgeries and experiments, showing both contemporary plastic fakes and more sophisticated techniques such as the embedding of „fake inclusions” in natural amber.
It is an exhibition not only about fraudulent practices, but also about the technology and science that allows us to recognise these phenomena," says Waldemar Ossowski, director of the Gdansk Museum. - Thanks to spectroscopic testing, each exhibit will be examined and provided with expert commentary. The identification process itself will become an element of the exhibition - educational, fascinating and extremely necessary.
The new exhibition will respond to the growing interest in the subject of authenticity in the world of jewellery and collecting. Visitors will learn, among other things, how natural amber differs from copal and synthetic resin, how to recognise the most common fakes and how developments in technology are helping to protect natural and cultural heritage.
In addition to the exhibition itself, educational activities aimed at the general public - from enthusiasts to collectors to dealers and tourists - are also planned.
The project is carried out within the framework of the „Supporting museum activities - Exhibitions and catalogues 2025” programme, financed from the Cultural Promotion Fund. The total cost of the task is PLN 175,140, of which PLN 100,000 comes from a grant from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the rest is the Gdansk Museum's own contribution.
The new module is not only a treat for amber enthusiasts, but also an important step towards education and the protection of authenticity in the jewellery and museum market.