Benjamin Hebbert

Consultant, Expert and Dealer in Fine Musical Instruments

Currently based in: Oxford, UK

DPhil Music (2002)

Talk to me about: Museums, conservation and commercial worlds of the auction house and dealing in cultural goods

Benjamin first undertook an apprenticeship with a London based specialist auction house, then came to Oxford following a training as a musical instrument maker, with a view to engaging in the history of his craft-practice, and reinforcing a knowledge base that would be suitable for understanding historical and commercial perspectives of a trade that intersects strongly with the antique and art market. Before completing his DPhil, he had secured fellowships in Art History and Conservation Science at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and became European Specialist Head of Sales for the musical instrument department at Christies. It became somewhat irrelevant after he moved on to West Dean College to become head of the musical instrument and furniture making and conservation departments before establishing his own consultancy first in London before returning to Oxford in 2020.

His work intersects the museum and commercial worlds, working with the likes of the V&A, National Portrait Gallery, Hogarth House, Museo del Violino, Bowes Museum, British Museum, America’s National Music Museum and the Ashmolean Museum. Meanwhile his studies in Oxford have become some of the foundations from which he has developed his expertise in authentication and identification within the commercial side of his field as a restorer, consultant and dealer in musical instruments where he enjoys an international reputation.

Advice to St Cross students: Don’t let your horizons be defined by the present state of academia that you find yourself in today. If you stay true to your passions and expertise, and ask yourself why you got to this point in the first place, you then have the chance to build your own path. 

If you would like to be put in touch with Benjamin, please contact development@stx.ox.ac.uk