artworks of doubtful provenanceprovenanceprov‧e‧nance /ˈprɒvənəns $ ˈprɑː-/ noun [uncountable] 
The provenance of the paintings is unknown.(of) dubious/doubtful provenance (=used to suggest that something may have been stolen) artworks of doubtful provenance
WORD ORIGINprovenance
Origin:
1700-1800 French provenir ‘to come out, originate’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a rug of Iranian provenance
- Modal composition and provenance studies can therefore only be partially accurate in many siliciclastic formations.
- Sandstone sequences are the result of both provenance and tectonic environment, modified by climate, depositional environment and later diagenetic events.
- Such examination may also help us to determine provenance by revealing inclusions characteristic of particular geological sources.
- The provenance of a manure heap seemed of limited importance beside the problems presently exercising her mind.
- They are blessed with the distinguished provenance of the Pellerin Collection, formed by Auguste Pellerin between 1895 and 1925.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
formal the place where something originally came from SYN origin: (=used to suggest that something may have been stolen) artworks of doubtful provenance
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE artworks of doubtful provenance· She was a dreary, promiscuous, disorganized piece of human driftwood, who kept having babies of dubious provenance.· Obviously genuine pieces, but of very dubious provenance.
The provenance of the paintings is unknown.(of) dubious/doubtful provenance (=used to suggest that something may have been stolen) artworks of doubtful provenance