In this provocative new work, historian Justin M. Jacobs challenges the widely accepted belief that many of the treasures in Western museums were obtained through imperial plunder and theft. The narrative reconsiders the supposedly unethical origins of Western collections, advocating for a nuanced understanding of how objects arrived on Western shores. Jacobs examines the perspectives of Chinese, Egyptians, and other participants in the global antiquities trade over the past two and a half centuries, revealing that Western collectors were often welcomed by locals. This collaborative dynamic, largely ignored by modern museum critics, unfolds a narrative of hope and promise for a brighter, more equitable future – a fascinating reevaluation of one of the institutional pillars of the Enlightenment.