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A dummy of Frankenstein’s monster being held at the V&A has sparked a trans-Atlantic ownership row after a US museum called for it to be repatriated.
The wooden mannequin, which stands at seven ft, is based on actor Boris Karloff, who played the creature in films created in the 1930s and 1940s.
It is dressed in the original costume worn by the late English actor, with the dummy detailed with bolts in the neck and metal fastenings on the skull.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is contesting the monster’s ownership, stating that it owns both the mannequin and its clothes.
In 1967, the dummy and its original costume were reportedly destroyed, with the pieces understood to have been lost
The wooden mannequin (left), which stands at seven ft, is based on actor Boris Karloff (right), who played the creature in films created in the 1930s
It has called for the V&A to repatriate the item, arguing that the NHM ‘did not consent to the sale of these objects’, The Telegraph reported.
But the London-based museum has said that the monster cannot be returned to the US under UK law, and was legally acquired for its collection.
The National Heritage Act 1983 states that the museum ‘may not dispose of an object … which is comprised in their collections’ unless set criteria are met.
The mannequin was donated to the NHM in 1935 by Universal Studios, the production company for Bride of Frankenstein.
The V&A believes it was ‘likely’ used as a prop in the horror-sequel.
It was then loaned to the Academy of Motion Pictures in 1949, according to V&A research.
In 1967, the dummy and its original costume were reportedly destroyed, with the pieces understood to have been lost.
A dummy of Frankenstein’s monster being held at the V&A has sparked a trans-Atlantic row. Pictured, two primary school children from Bethnal Green look at the giant prop
Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s monster, a role that developed his notoriety as a horror actor
Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s monster and Elsa Lanchester as Frankenstein’s Mate in Bride of Frankenstein, 1935
But 21 years later, both the mannequin and the ragged clothing were purchased at an auction by the Museum of Moving Image, London, in 1988.
This museum, run by the British Film Institute, then closed in 1999.
After 15 years, Frankenstein’s monster was moved to the V&A, with Californian staff at the NHM stunned that both the dummy and its costume were unscathed — and more than 5,000 miles away.
The NHM told The Telegraph that it ‘was not aware of and did not consent to the sale of these objects’.
However the V&A said that when the monster was bought at auction in 1988, there were no legal ownership claims.
The law in the UK prevents the V&A from giving items in its collection away because it is a national museum.
The National Heritage Act 1983 blocks museums from selling items held for the public.
They can only be removed from a museum’s collection by trustees if they are a duplicate or permanently damaged.
Similar issues with repatriation of museum collections have also been subject to this law.
The mannequin is due to be shown at the V&A Museum of Childhood in in Bethnal Green which is undergoing a £13millon revamp.
The Los Angeles museum said that it would like an ‘open dialogue’ with the V&A over a possible ‘cultural exchange’ to benefit visitors to both museums.
A spokesman for the V&A told MailOnline: ‘The Bride of Frankenstein Costume and Dummy was acquired at auction by the Museum of Moving Image in 1988 who acquired good title.
‘In 2014 the object was donated to the V&A and accessioned into the collection.
‘The V&A has been in contact with representatives from the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles about the object’s history and provenance, and proposed a number of partnership opportunities.
‘We welcome the opportunity for further discussion.’
Boris Karloff was an icon of horror cinema, having played the monster in the 1931 film Frankenstein.
The role continued in Bride of Frankenstein, 1935, Son of Frankenstein, 1939 and The House of Frankenstein, 1944.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has been contacted for comment.
The V&A (pictured) said that when the monster was bought at auction in 1988, there were no legal ownership claims