These cultural treasures had an export bar placed on them and
their acquisition ensures that they will remain in the United
Kingdom for display in Edinburgh and London. Both tables will be on
initial display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
from 20 June to 30 September 2012.
The acquisition has been possible with generous funding from the
Art Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Museums Scotland
Charitable Trust, the Friends of the V&A and the Horn
Bequest.
Sir Angus Grossart, Chairman of the Trustees of National Museums
Scotland, said,
“This acquisition greatly enhances our already significant
international important collections of European art and design. We
are delighted that both tables will go on immediate display at the
National Museum of Scotland this summer. One of the tables will
then be displayed in four major new permanent art and design
galleries which are currently being developed.
“We have highly ambitious plans to strengthen our collections
and displays and have created an ambitious agenda which will be
confirmed by a number of future additions.”
The tables came up for auction in July 2011, but a temporary
export bar was placed on the objects by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey,
providing time to raise money to keep the items in the country. The
ruling followed a recommendation from the Reviewing Committee on
the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest,
administered by the Arts Council of England. National Museums
Scotland and the V&A acquired the tables for the national
collections in May 2012.
Martin Roth, Director of the V&A said,
“These tables are of exceptional importance. Although the
V&A collections are rich in earlier Italian furniture, the
table we have acquired will be a valuable addition to our 17th
century offer and its military subject matter depicting warring
Turkish and European forces will allow us to present visitors with
a wider geographical understanding of Europe at this time. It is
intended for display in our new, refurbished Europe 1600-1800
galleries, due to open in 2014.”
The tables were made in Venice between 1685 and 1688. The
marquetry tops, signed by Lucio de Lucci, depict scenes of war,
almost certainly that between Venice and the Ottoman Empire for
control of the Greek Peloponnese. The marquetry employs a
decorative veneer of ebony, rosewood, walnut and fruitwoods with
ivory, stained horn, pewter. The boxwood bases are attributed to
the celebrated sculptor Andrea Brustolon (1662-1732), described as
‘the Michelangelo of wood’ by Balzac in the 19th century, about the
time these tables came to Britain. They are exceptional examples of
the exuberance of the baroque era.
The tables may have been made for the commander of the Venetian
forces during the 1680s, Doge Francesco Morosini. They were
acquired by the 5th Duke of Buccleuch in 1833 and remained at
Dalkeith Palace until sold by the 8th Duke in 1971.
Lord Inglewood, Chairman of the Reviewing Committee, said,
“These magnificent tables are exceptional examples of
17th-century Italian baroque furniture, something that is
under-represented in this country. They are undoubtedly of great
interest to the history of taste and collecting in 19th-century
Britain.”
Stephen Deuchar, Director of The Art Fund said,
“We're delighted to have been involved in keeping these
exquisite works of furniture in the UK and on view for future
generations to enjoy.”
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland,
said,
“By working together, cultural organisations north and south of
the border have stopped these outstanding tables from leaving the
country. They can now be enjoyed by may thousands of visitors to
the V&A in London and the National Museum of Scotland where
their magnificent marquetry opens a window to the European history
of their time.”
Marina Vaizey, Chairman of the Friends of the V&A, said,
“The Friends of the V&A were delighted to have been able to
contribute our largest-ever grant towards a single acquisition.
These superb tables are outstanding exemplars of the finest Italian
Baroque design and craftsmanship at its exuberant best.”
Breakdown of funding:
National Museums Scotland acquisition includes:
- £125,000 from the Art Fund (£250,00 in total)
- £125,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund
- £60,000 from National Museums Scotland Charitable Trust
- £57,950 from National Museums Scotland purchase grant
V&A acquisition includes:
- £175,000 from the Friends of the V&A
- £125,000 from the Art Fund (£250,00 in total)
- £17,856 from the Horn Bequest
Total cost: £735,900
18 June 2012
Media enquiries
For National Museums Scotland
Susan Gray - Communications Manager
Tel: 0131 247 4088
Email: s.gray@nms.ac.uk
For the V&A
Zoë Franklin - Acting Head of Press
Tel: 020 7942 2497
Email: z.franklin@vam.ac.uk
For Arts Council England
Sam Gough - Media Relations Officer (Museums and
Libraries)
Tel: 02079735189
Email: mailto:emma.russell@artscouncil.org.uk
For The Art Fund
Philip Abraham - Press Relations Manager
Tel: 020 7225 4804
Email: pabraham@artfund.org
For Heritage Lottery Fund
Shiona Mackay
Tel: 01786 870638
Email: shionamackay1@btinternet.com
Jon Williams
Tel: 0207 591 6035
Email: jonw@hlf.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
- About the V&A: The V&A is the world’s
leading museum of art and design with collections unrivalled in
their scope and diversity. It was established to make works of art
available to all and to inspire British designers and
manufacturers. Today, the V&A’s collections, which span over
2000 years of human creativity in virtually every medium and from
many parts of the world, continue to intrigue, inspire and inform.
In December 2012, the V&A will open its Furniture Gallery,
providing for the first time, a dedicated home for the Museum’s
renowned furniture collection. Europe 1600-1800 is the largest
gallery refurbishment in the V&A’s phase two of FuturePlan, its
second 10 year phase of restoration and redesign to create
beautiful and contemporary new settings for the V&A’s
collections. The project will see the complete redisplay and
reinterpretation of seven galleries containing some of the most
magnificent and elaborate works of art and design in the V&A
collections. The galleries are expected to open in 2014. www.vam.ac.uk
- The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body,
serviced by Arts Council England, which advises the Secretary of
State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object,
intended for export, is of national importance under specified
criteria. Where the Committee finds that an object meets one or
more of the criteria, it will normally recommend that the decision
on the export licence application should be deferred for a
specified period. An offer may then be made from within the United
Kingdom at or above the fair matching price.
- About the Art Fund: The Art Fund is the
national fundraising charity for art, helping UK museums and
galleries to buy, show and share art. Over the past 5 years, the
Art Fund has given £24 million in grants for purchase and also
supported a range of projects and programmes aimed at helping more
people enjoy art. It is independently funded by 90,000 supporters
who purchase a National Art Pass, costing from £50 which gives free
entry to over 200 museums, galleries and historic houses across the
country as well as 50% off major exhibitions. Find out more about
the Art Fund and how to buy a National Art Pass at www.artfund.org. Media contact 020
7225 4888, media@artfund.org
- About the Heritage Lottery Fund: Using money
raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present
and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From
museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural
environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our
diverse heritage. To date it has invested £536 million in
Scotland’s heritage.
- About Arts Council England: Arts Council
England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural
experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of
activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to
digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to
collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together
and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short,
it makes life better. Between 2011 and 2015, we will invest £1.4
billion of public money from government and an estimated £1 billion
from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as
many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk