Currently on display in the DigiLab at the Museum of Miniature Found Objects is this forgery identified by Mrs Beryl van Buren and the Object Authentication Department. Extensive pollen tests carried out by the department revealed fresh traces of Tufted Saxifrage, a plant growing only in mountainous regions. This indicated the object could not have been found in the low-lying arable lands of Suffolk, as claimed by the donor. The Board of Trustees requires all forgeries to be removed from the collection and destroyed. Individuals identified as donating such items will be banned from the Palm Court Tea Rooms.

To assist visitors bringing items to the museum for authentication, the Department has put together a list of helpful hints for identifying forged or stolen miniature found objects:

  = the object's provenance is uncertain,

  = the object's finding appears to be 'too good to be true',
  = the object has been polished with Brasso,

  = the object's finder is in a hurry to part with the item,

  = the forged object has been prematurely aged to make it look more genuine.

If in doubt, do not acquire the object and contact the police immediately. Remember, forgery is a criminal offence.

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Found object:
= fabric duck: 10.56am, Wednesday 18 September 2013, Cannon Street, Bury St Edmunds.

The Museum of Miniature Found Objects is delighted to announce a new service available to visitors. As the new head of the Object Authentication Department, Mrs Beryl van Buren leads a team of specialist staff identifying and appraising miniature found objects brought to the museum by their owners. This service is provided on Wednesday afternoons, and further details can be found on the museum noticeboard by the main entrance.

Please note, the MMFO Code of Ethics requires that members of the Object Authentication Department will not identify or authenticate items they have reason to believe have been illegally acquired or are forgeries.

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Found objects:

= blue plastic hands: 12.54pm, Saturday 31 December 2011, Dunsmure Road, north London;

= pale blue plastic hair clip: 5.22pm, Tuesday 25 June 2013, West Reservoir, Stoke Newington, north London;

= plastic brain: 2.01pm, Saturday 21 May 2011, corner of Ravenscourt Gardens & Ravenscourt Park, west London;

= purple plastic ball with spikes: 1.46pm, Sunday 28 July 2013, Noak Hill Road, east London;

= purple grape container: 5.37pm, Monday 12 August 2013, Woodberry Down, north London.

The Museum of Miniature Found Objects would like to remind visitors that afternoon tea is now available in the Palm Court Tea Rooms, and offers a delightful selection of sandwiches and assorted cakes. Stan Worthington, the museum's resident pâtissier, has selected the Eccles cake as the Patisserie of the Month for September. Firstly for its delicious buttery flaky pastry and intriguing sweet and spicy filling, but also for its important role in history. On 15 September 1830 the world's first railway accident took place in the north of England. While attending the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, William Huskisson, Member of Parliament for Liverpool, was badly mangled by George Stephenson's Rocket after he misjudged its speed. Taken to the vicarage in nearby Eccles, he sadly died of his injuries.

Whilst enjoying tea at the museum, please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by earlier generations.

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Found objects:

= red fabric flower: 10.07am, Monday 20 May 2013, Old Bethnal Green Road, east London;

= small grey rose: 9.32am, Monday 12 December 2011, Highbury Station Road, north London;

= white fabric flower: 5.16pm, Sunday 19 May 2013, Clissold Park, north London.

The Museum of Miniature Found Objects is thrilled to be launching an exclusive range of contemporary jewellery. Designed by Margot del Colón-de-Plaja (doyenne of the the Buenos Aires glitterati), these pieces reflect the hardcore edginess of modern urban lifestyles. Ms Colón-de-Plaja (of whom Alexa Chung said, 'If I'm the It Girl, Margot must surely be the It Jeweller!') says, "The museum is a leading voice in cutting-edge design, so to be given the chance to personally design for them is an honour." Hand-crafted by Italian craftsmen using best-quality materials for a timeless finish, the Hoxton range is now available in the Museum Gift Shop.

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Found objects:

= blue plastic heart ring: 1.02pm, Thursday 29 August 2013, Highbury Pool, north London;
= chain: 11.37am, Wednesday 17 April 2013, Lloyd Park, east London;
= metal earring with bells: 5.24pm, Tuesday 6 November 2012, north-bound platform, Highbury & Islington underground station, north London;
= metal earring with raised pattern: 1.07pm, Sunday 10 February 2013, Clarence Road, east London;
= plastic fingers: 1.50pm, Thursday 19 January 2012, Highbury Fields, north London;
= ring with black plastic flower: 12.33pm, Saturday 20 July 2013, Canal Street, Nottingham;
= safety pin: 3.45pm, Wednesday 20 February 2013, Pagoda Street, Singapore;
= three metal rings: 9.14am, Saturday 15 October 2011, Sterne Street, west London;
= twisted metal ring: 8.51am, Tuesday 9 August 2011, Earls Court Road, west London.

The Museum of Miniature Found Objects is delighted to feature in the latest issue of the Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Amarilla deVere's article, 'Hidden Gems of Europe', describes the museum as "London's best-kept secret". She goes on to say, "The light and spacious interior creates a delightful ambiance for viewing the treasures on display in this charming and erudite museum that has more than a dash of pure pleasure to it. As you dine in the Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, a thought erupts: here you are truly among the privileged few." 

In honour of Miss deVere's article and the Condé Nast Traveller magazine, museum curators have created this display, Les sphères dorées, for the Rivoli Rooftop Bistro.

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Found objects:

= brass pipe joint: 6.37pm, Sunday 9 December 2012, Lordship Road, north London;

= gold and black floral shapes: 9.46am, Thursday 15 September 2011, Pembury Road, east London;

= large gold Christmas bauble: 3.30pm, Sunday 10 February 2013, Wells Street, east London;

= small gold Christmas bauble: 3.23pm, Tuesday 1 January 2013, corner of Wakehurst Road and Webb Road, south-west London;

= wooden stars and beads: 9.10pm, Wednesday 11 May 2011, Seville Airport, Spain.