Eight national treasures saved for the nation in 2013-14

16 Dec 2014 01:22 PM

We have just published the 60th annual report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (Reviewing Committee). Out of the 22 objects referred to the Secretary of State for deferral on the Reviewing Committee’s recommendation, eight rare and varied items were saved from leaving the country and subsequently purchased for collections across the UK.

The items saved range from Lusieri’s evocative watercolour of Rome, a self-portrait by van Dyck, and an exquisitely crafted and elegant French Empire style medal cabinet. The British Library, National Portrait Gallery, and the Jane Austen’s House Museum are just some of the institutions that are now the proud homes of these works of art following a decision to defer export recommended by the UK’s Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

The 8 cases which resulted in acquisitions were:

• A gold and gem set ring once belonging to Jane Austen (£152,450) – Jane Austen House Museum
• A Traictise from the Mendham Collection (£116,500) – British Library
• A pair of wall hangings designed by May Morris (£61,770) – National Museums Scotland
• Self-portrait by Sir Anthony van Dyck (value at deferral £12,500,000 purchased by the NPG for £10,000,000). – National Portrait Gallery
• Watercolour by Giovanna Battista Lusieri, Panoramic View of Rome: From the Capitoline Hill to the Aventine Hill (£361,875) – British Museum
• The Monson Catholicon Anglicum (£92,500) - British Library
• An Empire style medal cabinet (£534,000) - V&A
• An Iron Age bronze mirror (£33,000) – Oxfordshire Museum Services

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:

‘The 60^th annual report contains a bumper collection of important treasures that have been saved for the nation, made possible by individual donations, the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Art Fund and various other charitable trusts, to whom we are extremely grateful.

‘Although it is disappointing that we were unable to raise the funds to help save all items placed under temporary export deferral, the dedication demonstrated by the Reviewing Committee and its new Chair Sir Hayden Phillips is evident in this report and we all owe a debt of gratitude for their hard work.’

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said:

‘These eight treasures saved for the nation will now be enjoyed and appreciated by audiences for years to come in institutions all over the UK from the National Museums Scotland to the Jane Austen House Museum in Hampshire. I hope this success continues to ensure more rare objects and works of art can be kept in the UK.’

Find out more

Read the full Export of Objects of Cultural Interest Report 2013/14

Find out more about the Reviewing committee

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