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Supporting museums Art we've helped buy Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs
Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs
Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs

Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs

Oliver Messel

Art Funded
2005
Dimensions
Various
Art Fund grant
£70,000 (Total: £419,440)
Vendor
Lord Snowdon through Sotheby's
Oliver Messel was a central figure in 20th Century British design, designing for many plays, musicals, ballets, operas and films as well as wartime camouflage and other textiles and interior decor.

He is most famous for his work at the Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne. The collection includes models, paper designs, photographs, and a few actual costumes and masks.

Provenance

Earl of Snowdon (artist's nephew).

Paper & textiles & mixed media

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V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
020 7942 2000
Website

Opening times

Daily, 10am – 5.45pm (Fri until 10pm)

Art we’ve helped buy at V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Mae West Lips Sofa
 Acquired
Nonsuch Palace from the South
 Acquired 2016
Collages forming content of OZ Magazine Issue #16 – ‘The Magic Theatre Issue’ (Autumn 1968)
 Acquired
18th & 19th Century porcelain and pottery
 Acquired 1913
Writing-Armchair
 Acquired 1965
Writing Table
 Acquired 1951
Works of Art from Adelphi Terrace
 Acquired 1936
Works include St George; Clarence Tomb; 'Comedy and Tragedy'; Figure of Mermaid
 Acquired 1936
Woollen pile Carpet
 Acquired 1935
Woman's jacket
 Acquired 2004
Wine cooler
 Acquired 2006
Wine cooler
 Acquired 1990
Windsor Forest and Castle
 Acquired 1968
Windsor chair
 Acquired 1966
Wimbledon Common & Malines: Maison du Conseil
 Acquired 1968
Willow Pattern Plate
 Acquired 1934
William III chair
 Acquired 1928
Who will make me real? (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
Whitelands May Queen's cross
 Acquired 2011
Wedgewood Vase
 Acquired 1938
Wedding suit of James, Duke of York
 Acquired 1995
Watercolours & Scrapbook of Sketches
 Acquired 1966
Watercolour of a garden
 Acquired 1968
Water-bottle
 Acquired 1925
Water Gate, Lower Close, Norwich
 Acquired 1968
Water bowl and stand
 Acquired 1932
Watchtowers, West Bank (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2011
Wash stand table
 Acquired 1992
Warkworth Castle
 Acquired 1968
Waltham Cross & A Scene in China
 Acquired 1968
Walrus Ivory Draughtsman
 Acquired 1933
Walnut Cabinet on stand
 Acquired 1913
Walnut and Marquetry Chair
 Acquired 1953
Wallpaper design: Poppy
 Acquired 2009
Wall Panels
 Acquired 1954
Wall hanging
 Acquired 1992
Wall cabinet
 Acquired 1956
Virgin and Child with Five Angels
 Acquired 1926
View of the South-East side of Tewkesbury Abbey
 Acquired 1937
View of the East Hall of the Victoria and Albert Museum
 Acquired 2016
Verona Market Place
 Acquired 1936
Venus and Adonis
 Acquired 1922
Venus Anadyomene
 Acquired 1964
Velvet panel
 Acquired 1923
Vauxhall Gardens
 Acquired 1967
Vases
 Acquired 2008
Upright Secretaire
 Acquired 1969
Upholstered Armchair
 Acquired 1964
Untitled
 Acquired 2003
Unknown woman, formerly called Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset
 Acquired 1971
Unknown Man
 Acquired 1941
Two-fold Screen & Pilgrim Bottle
 Acquired 1931
Two Watercolour Designs
 Acquired 2001
Two volumes of architectural drawings by Vanburgh, Pearce, Hawksmoor etc
 Acquired 1992
Two Tomb-guardians of the Ming period
 Acquired 1912
Two Statues: Autumn & Winter
 Acquired 1959
Two sketch-books
 Acquired 1968
Two silver tea caddies and a silver sugar bowl
 Acquired 1945
Two Romanesque Capitals
 Acquired 1935
Two Regency fireplaces and mantelpieces
 Acquired 1932
Two pieces of Lustre ware
 Acquired 1952
Two Pencil Sketches
 Acquired 1955
Two Panels of Stained Glass
 Acquired 1930
Two medals representing William III and Queen Mary
 Acquired 1907
Two Japanese Writing Boxes
 Acquired 1954
Two Indian sculptures
 Acquired 1919
Two Gate-leg Tables, Card Table, Pair of Stools, Armchair and Pole-screen
 Acquired 1946
Two Figures of Seated Courtesans
 Acquired 1980
Two Figures of Sages
 Acquired 1937
Two evening dresses
 Acquired 2009
Two English Table Carpets
 Acquired 1930
Two English Dresses
 Acquired 1945
Two designs for the tomb of Pope Paul III
 Acquired 1966
Triptych
 Acquired 1993
Tripod Supper Table
 Acquired 1965
Trestle Table
 Acquired 1965
Trees and Lake
 Acquired 1930
Travelling trunk and stand
 Acquired 1992
Torso of the Buddha
 Acquired 1992
Tobacco box
 Acquired 1940
Tivoli
 Acquired 1968
Tiles of tin enamelled earthenware
 Acquired 1930
Tile: The Temptation of Christ
 Acquired 1923
Tile panel with flowers and birds
 Acquired 1923
Tiara
 Acquired 2003
Thuner
 Acquired 1986
Three teapots
 Acquired 2006
Three sculptures of religious figures
 Acquired 1927
Three Russian Revolutionary plates
 Acquired 1988
Three Romanesque enamel plaques
 Acquired 1989
Three Rajasthani miniature paintings
 Acquired 1994
Three fragments of an Anglian stone cross
 Acquired 1931
Three figures from Naworth Castle, Cumbria
 Acquired 2001
Three Etchings
 Acquired 1939
Three Bronze Mortars
 Acquired 1939
Three book bindings
 Acquired 1990
Thirty-two Watch-bridges
 Acquired 1933
Theseus and the Minotaur
 Acquired 1962
Theatre Mask
 Acquired 1953
The Wolsey Angels
 Acquired 2015
The Water-Carrier
 Acquired 1953
The Walpole Salver
 Acquired 1956
The Vyvyan Salt
 Acquired 1925
The Voysey Clock
 Acquired 1998
The Visitation
 Acquired 1952
The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John the Baptist
 Acquired 1974
The Virgin and Child
 Acquired 1934
The Virgin and Child
 Acquired 1927
The Virgin and Child
 Acquired 1925
The two Maries at the Sepulchre
 Acquired 1927
The Three Graces
 Acquired 1994
The Third Temptation
 Acquired 1949
The Tables Turned
 Acquired 1950
The Strawberry Hill Chair
 Acquired 1992
The Story of Susanna
 Acquired 1958
The Southdown Shepherd
 Acquired 1950
The Sleeping Nymph
 Acquired 1930
The Sheldon Tapestry
 Acquired 1934
The Saiva Saint and Psalmist Tirujnana Sambandha
 Acquired 1928
The Sacca della Misericordia, Venice
 Acquired 1933
The Ruined Bridge, Avignon
 Acquired 1968
The Roadsters Album
 Acquired 1946
The Purification of the Virgin
 Acquired 1930
The Prophet Haggai
 Acquired 1963
The Pilot-Boat off Fecamp, Normandy
 Acquired 1968
The Newdegate Centre-Piece
 Acquired 1919
The Nativity
 Acquired 2003
The Nativity
 Acquired 1951
The Naives Book of Hours
 Acquired 1987
The Mourning Virgin & Figure holding Instruments of the Passion
 Acquired 1920
The Mill
 Acquired 1968
The Milkmaid's Garland or Humours of May Day
 Acquired 1947
The Michael and Gerlinde Costiff Costume Collection
 Acquired 2002
The Melchett Fire Basket
 Acquired 2005
The Market Girl
 Acquired 1932
The Macclesfield Wine Set
 Acquired 1998
The Lonely Krishna Explains His Plight
 Acquired 1951
The Lion in Love
 Acquired 1953
The Letter
 Acquired 2002
The Launch of a Galleon
 Acquired 2010
The Last Judgement
 Acquired 1926
The Lake House, Epping
 Acquired 1968
The Kelekian Collection of Islamic Pottery
 Acquired 1952
The Jason Tapestries
 Acquired 1950
The Ivychurch reliefs
 Acquired 1991
The Islington Cup
 Acquired 1987
The Humorous Diversion of Sliding on the Ice
 Acquired 1947
The Howard Grace Cup (or the Thomas a Becket Cup)
 Acquired 1931
The Housewife
 Acquired 1953
The Holy Trinity
 Acquired 1917
The Hills of Tulloch
 Acquired 1950
The Heneage ('Armada') Jewel
 Acquired 1935
The Guilty Couple
 Acquired 1936
The Grandisson Orphreys
 Acquired 1995
The Gower House Chimney-piece
 Acquired 1997
The Gibbs Room
 Acquired 1912
The Farmhouse & Oakehampton
 Acquired 1968
The Fair Maid of Gatacre
 Acquired 1983
The Eumorfopoulos Collection: Paintings
 Acquired 1935
The Eumorfopoulos Collection
 Acquired 1935
The Entomologists Dream
 Acquired 1922
The Duet (or The Love Song)
 Acquired 1955
The Drama
 Acquired 1950
The Dead Lioness & Lion Hunt
 Acquired 1965
The Cup of Delight
 Acquired 1950
The Costume of Great Britain
 Acquired 1946
The Compassion of Pharoah's Daughter
 Acquired 1949
The Colisseum at Rome
 Acquired 1950
The Chequers Charger
 Acquired 1998
The Castlereagh Inkstand
 Acquired 2003
The Burghley Nef
 Acquired 1959
The Bowes Cup
 Acquired 1993
The Bed of Ware
 Acquired 1931
The Becket Casket
 Acquired 1996
The Assumption of the Virgin, with St Thomas receiving her girdle
 Acquired 1910
The Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography
 Acquired 2009
The Angel Appearing to Joachim
 Acquired 1952
The Adoration of the Magi
 Acquired 1952
The Abbey of Merbothwick
 Acquired 1948
Tewkesbury
 Acquired 1936
Ten Gold Rings
 Acquired 1937
Teapot and six cups
 Acquired 2008
Tea kettle & stand
 Acquired 2006
Tea caddy and cover
 Acquired 1910
Tea caddy
 Acquired 1992
Tea caddies, Commode, Bracket Clock
 Acquired 1940
Tea and coffee service with tray
 Acquired 2004
Tapestry: The Forest
 Acquired 1926
Tapestry: Perseus and Andromeda
 Acquired 1990
Tankard & Ewer
 Acquired 1914
Tankard
 Acquired 1930
Table, mirror and candlesticks
 Acquired 1992
Table with food from 'Party' series (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
Table clock
 Acquired 1906
Table
 Acquired 2003
Table
 Acquired 1992
T'ang dynasty bowl
 Acquired 1914
Sword-guard of Miochin School, modelled with a dragon in relief
 Acquired 1911
Swiss dresser
 Acquired 1940
Sweetmeat Glass
 Acquired 1932
Sunset from the Flagstaff Hill, Hampstead Heath
 Acquired 1930
Study of Trees (Sous-Bois)
 Acquired 1966
Study of Sea and Gulls
 Acquired 1974
Study of a Woman Dressing & A General View of Dole in France & 2 etchings
 Acquired 1988
Study of a Man in Rags
 Acquired 1950
Study for The Piper of Dreams
 Acquired 1986
Study for draperies of Persephone in 'The Return of Persephone'
 Acquired 1950
Stucco panels from the Alhambra
 Acquired 1913
Strong box
 Acquired 1966
Strasbourg
 Acquired 1968
Stoneware jug
 Acquired 1929
Still Life
 Acquired 1923
Statuette of St Michael
 Acquired 1943
Statuette of Cupid
 Acquired 1922
Statuette of Christ
 Acquired 1969
Statuette of Abundance
 Acquired 1971
Statuette of a Man in Armour
 Acquired 1936
Statue of the Budda Amida
 Acquired 1924
Standing-Cup of Lignum Vitae
 Acquired 1936
Standing figure of the Buddha Sakyamuni
 Acquired 2003
Standing Figure of the Buddha
 Acquired 1996
Standing female deity, probably Uma
 Acquired 2001
Stained glass window (triptych)
 Acquired 1992
Stained glass panel representing a saint
 Acquired 1929
Stained glass panel
 Acquired 1924
Staffordshire plate
 Acquired 1910
St. Peter
 Acquired 2002
St Martin and the Beggar
 Acquired 1939
Soup Tureen
 Acquired 1992
Soup plate
 Acquired 1906
Soup ladle
 Acquired 1919
Solitude & Isis from Turner's Liber Studiorum
 Acquired 1920
Snuffbox decorated with a portrait of George IV
 Acquired 1928
Snuff box
 Acquired 1921
Slipper Orchids
 Acquired 1935
Sliding Contour
 Acquired 2006
Sketchbook
 Acquired 1949
Sketch for the Decoration of a Dome
 Acquired 1953
Sketch for Overmantle for Dorchester House
 Acquired 1912
Six pieces of English Furniture
 Acquired 1958
Six Pieces of English furniture
 Acquired 1957
Six Elizabethan silver-gilt dishes
 Acquired 1946
Sita bestowing garland on Rama after archery contest
 Acquired 1951
Sisterhood
 Acquired 1942
Sir Michael Redgrave preparing for 'The Beggar's Opera'
 Acquired 2002
Silver-gilt Monstrance
 Acquired 1969
Silver-gilt Chalice and Paten
 Acquired 1947
Silver tray
 Acquired 1927
Silver Salver
 Acquired 1943
Silver Peg Tankard
 Acquired 1938
Silver knife and fork
 Acquired 1927
Silver gilt badge
 Acquired 1924
Silver Flagon
 Acquired 1956
Silver columbine cup
 Acquired 1929
Silver centrepiece
 Acquired 1971
Silk velvet panel
 Acquired 1921
Signs and Wonders
 Acquired 2009
Side-Table
 Acquired 1933
Side table
 Acquired 1928
Sheet of pencil studies
 Acquired 1912
Shadow Sites II (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2013
Seven volumes of drawings
 Acquired 1922
Seven pieces of English furniture
 Acquired 1959
Settle-End
 Acquired 1924
Set of twelve figures of animals
 Acquired 1929
Set of six pedestals
 Acquired 1934
Set of 25 wall decorations
 Acquired 1955
Set design for the last Act of Amide
 Acquired 1921
Serial Dialogue in Fifteen Parts
 Acquired 2008
Sculpture of the head of Buddha
 Acquired 1927
Sculpted head of Annibale Caro
 Acquired 1963
Scent flask
 Acquired 1925
Scene from the Chusingura Drama
 Acquired 1933
Scandal
 Acquired 2007
Satyr and Satyress
 Acquired 1949
Satan Calling up his Legions
 Acquired 1950
Sarrasa: a group of nine Indian textiles made for export to Indonesia
 Acquired 1993
San Marino
 Acquired 1968
Samson Slaying a Philistine
 Acquired 1953
Samson and the Phillistines
 Acquired 1992
Sakuhin (Work)
 Acquired 2010
Rukmini and the messenger
 Acquired 1951
Rowing Match at Richmond
 Acquired 1944
Rouen: Abbaye St Amand
 Acquired 1968
Rouen, The Clock Tower
 Acquired 1968
Rouen & Rouen pencil
 Acquired 1968
River Scene
 Acquired 1936
Richmond Bridge
 Acquired 1953
Reverend A Utterson
 Acquired 1953
Reliquary of St. Sebastian
 Acquired 2001
Relief of Virgin and Child
 Acquired 1926
Relief of SS Philip, Jude and Bartholomew
 Acquired 1932
Relief of Adam and Eve
 Acquired 1927
Reading desk
 Acquired 1966
Queen Anne writing Cabinet
 Acquired 1924
Queen Anne stool
 Acquired 1965
Qajar (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
Punch bowl
 Acquired 1922
Pugin Cabinet
 Acquired 2015
Prints from the series Sufis: The day of al-Ziyara (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2011
Prints from the series 'Out of Line' (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2011
Prints and drawings album by Edward Calvert, William Blake and A C Ionides
 Acquired 2001
Presentation design drawing of the baptismal font for Canterbury Cathedral
 Acquired 2005
Pottery Panel with Figures
 Acquired 1939
Pottery Box-Stand
 Acquired 1959
Pot-Pourri Vase
 Acquired 1995
Pot
 Acquired 2005
Portrait relief of Bernardo Giugni
 Acquired 1960
Portrait of the Mahatma Gandhi
 Acquired 1932
Portrait of the 4th Earl of Chesterfield
 Acquired 1943
Portrait of Sydney R. Jones
 Acquired 1968
Portrait of S. R. Jones
 Acquired 1968
Portrait of Mrs Jane Small
 Acquired 1935
Portrait of Margaret Laton & Jacket of Margaret Laton
 Acquired 1994
Portrait of Joseph Willliams Blakesley
 Acquired 1978
Portrait of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
 Acquired 1906
Portrait of Hamlet Winstanley
 Acquired 1980
Portrait of Ethelbert Whydale
 Acquired 1968
Portrait of Ellen Sarah Gibbs
 Acquired 1957
Portrait of Edgar Holl as a small boy
 Acquired 1957
Portrait of an Officer
 Acquired 1930
Portrait of Amar Singh II of Mewar
 Acquired 1997
Portrait of a Nobleman
 Acquired 1967
Portrait of A Man in a Blue Jacket
 Acquired 1952
Portrait of a Man
 Acquired 1968
Portrait of a Man
 Acquired 1968
Portrait of a Lady wearing a Green Dress
 Acquired 1941
Portrait of a Lady
 Acquired 1941
Portrait bust of James Gibbs
 Acquired 1989
Portfolio of photographs
 Acquired 1975
Portfolio of lithographs
 Acquired 1930
Porchester Castle
 Acquired 1953
Porcelain vase
 Acquired 1929
Porcelain figure of 'Ottavio'
 Acquired 1945
Porcelain figure of 'Harlequin'
 Acquired 1945
Porcelain dish
 Acquired 1968
Porcelain cup and saucer & Earthenware dish
 Acquired 1929
Porcelain bowl
 Acquired 1920
Porcelain and Stoneware
 Acquired 1937
Plum Blossom
 Acquired 1930
Playbill & Periodical
 Acquired 1988
Plate for 'Virgin and Child with Cat and Snake'
 Acquired 1993
Pitchford Hall mug
 Acquired 1997
Pineapple Cup with cover
 Acquired 1938
Pineapple Cup with cover
 Acquired 1938
Picture frame
 Acquired 2009
Photographs of Westmorland - Horniman collection
 Acquired 1937
Photographs of Oxford - Horniman collection
 Acquired 1939
Photographs of Middlesex - Horniman collection
 Acquired 1938
Photographs of Dorset - Horniman collection
 Acquired 1952
Photographs from the series Wonder Beirut: The story of a pyromaniac photographer (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2013
Photographs from the 'Upekkha' series (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)- 1) Armed Innocence II; 2) Spring (Sham el Nasseem); 3) The Break- Photographs from the 'Upekkha' series (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern P
 Acquired 2013
Persian ewer
 Acquired 1924
Perpetual Motion Clock
 Acquired 1961
Pedestal-table
 Acquired 1956
Pedestal dressing table
 Acquired 1928
Pectoral reliquary cross
 Acquired 1966
Peacock necklace
 Acquired 2006
Paysannes des Environs de Boulogne
 Acquired 1950
Parties (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
Panel of Needlework
 Acquired 1953
Panel of Embroidery
 Acquired 1963
Pair of wall brackets
 Acquired 1992
Pair of Torah finials & pair of cups and covers
 Acquired 2009
Pair of stools
 Acquired 2009
Pair of Pistols
 Acquired 2005
Pair of Persian mirrors
 Acquired 1921
Pair of panoramic views of the Bay of Naples
 Acquired 1988
Pair of glass vases
 Acquired 1964
Pair of George III candlesticks & George IV swing-handle basket
 Acquired 1967
Pair of Chinoiserie Armchairs
 Acquired 1992
Pair of Chairs
 Acquired 1966
Pair of candlesticks
 Acquired 2003
Pair of candlesticks
 Acquired 2003
Pair of candlesticks
 Acquired 1944
Pair of Bottles
 Acquired 1961
Pair of Blue John and ormolu candelabra
 Acquired 1934
Pacing Horse
 Acquired 1957
Oxford
 Acquired 1968
Overpowering Sky
 Acquired 1960
Ottoman tankard
 Acquired 2010
Original sketch in tempera for the ceiling of the Banqueting Hall at Hampton Co
 Acquired 1916
Original design for Fruit wallpaper
 Acquired 2009
Original artwork for the Rolling Stones ‘Tongue and Lips Design’ logo
 Acquired 2008
Ophrey of Opus Anglicanum
 Acquired 1936
Openwork Bird brooch pendant
 Acquired 2015
Open Landscape with Cottage, Figure and Animals
 Acquired 2010
One of a pair of armchairs
 Acquired 1996
Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs
 Acquired 2005
Old English and Irish Silver
 Acquired 1913
Octagonal teapot and two gilt teaspoons
 Acquired 1914
Octagonal Dining Table
 Acquired 1937
Oak-trees
 Acquired 1968
Oak Pinnacle & Portion of a Console Table
 Acquired 1930
Oak Chest
 Acquired 1948
Oak case
 Acquired 1992
Nu de Profil (Le Grand Bois)
 Acquired 1994
Notre Dame, St Omer
 Acquired 1968
Neptune and Glaucus
 Acquired 1950
Necklace with a Cross and Girandole Earrings
 Acquired 2000
Necklace and bracelet
 Acquired 2006
Nantgarw Porcelain Dish
 Acquired 1935
My Great Grandfather's Ghost Story
 Acquired 1950
Mrs Luke Ionides
 Acquired 2003
Mrs John Mackie
 Acquired 1946
Mr. Thomas Wilkes of Overseal, Derbyshire and Measham
 Acquired 1932
Mothers of Martyrs (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
Mother and Child on a Couch
 Acquired 1943
Monte Carlo brooch
 Acquired 2006
Model for a tomb
 Acquired 1922
Miss Augusta Harvey of Thorpe Lodge
 Acquired 1926
Mirror
 Acquired 1992
Mirror
 Acquired 1992
Minyeh, Egypt
 Acquired 2002
Miniature of James II, when Duke of York
 Acquired 1955
Miniature Chinese Garden
 Acquired 1928
Ming lacquer table
 Acquired 1993
Memorial to Francis Musters
 Acquired 2003
Melincourt Cascade, Neath
 Acquired 1968
Meleager
 Acquired 1960
Meleagar
 Acquired 1986
Meissen Chinoiserie sweetmeat-stand
 Acquired 1977
Medieval Jewel (Double Ring Brooch)
 Acquired 1993
Medallion
 Acquired 1934
Medal of William I of Orange
 Acquired 1927
Medal Cabinet
 Acquired 2014
Massacre of the Innocents & Christ appearing to the Virgin
 Acquired 1920
Marquise de la Valette
 Acquired 1926
Marble Tankard
 Acquired 1928
Marble busts of Heraclitus and Democritus
 Acquired 1947
Marble bust
 Acquired 1945
Map-Shawl
 Acquired 1971
Manuscripts
 Acquired 1932
Maiolica Plate
 Acquired 1922
Maiolica panel
 Acquired 1926
Maiolica dish
 Acquired 1990
Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir
 Acquired 1951
Madonna and Child with Four Angels ('The Chellini Madonna')
 Acquired 1976
Madame Celeste as the Dumb Arab Boy
 Acquired 1953
Macchia & Persian Set & Basket Set
 Acquired 2001
Lustre Bowl
 Acquired 1918
Lowestoft Bowl
 Acquired 1910
llluminated Manuscript
 Acquired 1952
Lidded box
 Acquired 2007
Les Becheurs
 Acquired 1938
Les Baigneuses
 Acquired 1950
Left-hand dagger
 Acquired 1946
Landscape with distant mountains
 Acquired 1959
Landscape with cottages and trees
 Acquired 1960
Landscape in Autumn
 Acquired 1968
Landscape
 Acquired 1968
Landscape
 Acquired 1968
Landscape
 Acquired 1968
Landscape
 Acquired 1968
Landscape
 Acquired 1968
Lamp Stand
 Acquired 1954
Lamp
 Acquired 1954
Lambeth Delft Dish
 Acquired 1913
Lady with a Red Bird
 Acquired 1951
Lady in Masque Dress
 Acquired 1941
Lacquered casket
 Acquired 1966
Lacquer Saddle & Pair of Stirrups
 Acquired 1954
Lacquer carving
 Acquired 1961
Lace Lappets
 Acquired 1933
La Grande Bergere
 Acquired 1938
Kushan Seated Buddha
 Acquired 2006
Knife-Box
 Acquired 1960
Knife, fork and steel
 Acquired 1929
Knife
 Acquired 1933
Kirkstall Abbey
 Acquired 1936
King Vulture
 Acquired 2003
King John's Palace
 Acquired 1953
Kashmir loom-woven girdle
 Acquired 1950
Just Published: Aubrey Beardsley by Robert Ross
 Acquired 1919
Juno and the Peacock
 Acquired 1953
Japanese Shrine
 Acquired 1916
Japanese screen
 Acquired 1928
Japanese lacquer work objects
 Acquired 1915
Japanese Lacquer Snuff-Box
 Acquired 1956
Japanese Lacquer Cabinet
 Acquired 1956
Japanese dagger
 Acquired 1916
Japanese court sword
 Acquired 1915
James II Coronation Cup
 Acquired 2008
Jade cup
 Acquired 1962
Jacobean panelled room
 Acquired 1929
Iznikware Pot
 Acquired 1905
Ivrea Val d'Aosta
 Acquired 1968
Ivory crucifix
 Acquired 1984
Items of Swedish glass
 Acquired 2002
Italian and Japanese textiles
 Acquired 1920
Inlaid oak cabinet
 Acquired 1927
Inlaid Indian Cabinet
 Acquired 1935
Inkstand
 Acquired 1933
Ink pot
 Acquired 1990
Indian textile pattern books & miniature paintings
 Acquired 1949
Indian Paintings and Drawings
 Acquired 1951
Images from the series 'Le retour imaginaire' (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2011
Humanist with Figures of Faith, Hope and Charity
 Acquired 1960
Horniman Collection of Photographs
 Acquired 1931
Horniman Collection of Photographs
 Acquired 1934
Honeycomb brooch / pendant
 Acquired 2006
Historic Costume from the Castle Howard and Lansdowne Collections
 Acquired 2003
High-backed Oak Chair
 Acquired 1964
High backed chair
 Acquired 1992
Hester Booth
 Acquired 1990
Heidelberg
 Acquired 1968
Heidelberg
 Acquired 1950
Heavy Weather
 Acquired 1968
Head of an Oriental
 Acquired 1992
Head of a Welsh Fishgirl
 Acquired 1957
Head of a Man
 Acquired 1922
Head of a Bodhisattva
 Acquired 1936
Haymaking, Welsh Mountains & Welsh Mountains & Kenilworth Castle & Three Women
 Acquired 1968
Harvest Field & Sand Dunes & A Mountain View
 Acquired 1968
Harlequin playing with four boys before the Entrance to a Cave
 Acquired 1939
Hanging clock
 Acquired 1922
Gypsies
 Acquired 1968
Group of watercolours of the Great Exhibition, 1851
 Acquired 2006
Green bird beside a pink flower
 Acquired 1951
Graeco-Buddhist sculpture of the Gandhara School
 Acquired 1913
Gothic Stone Tracery
 Acquired 1931
Gothic livery cupboard of oak
 Acquired 1912
Gothic Church behind a Grove of Oaks
 Acquired 1997
Gold watch
 Acquired 1964
Gold watch
 Acquired 1963
Goblet ('The Luck of Edenhall')
 Acquired 1958
Goblet
 Acquired 1910
Globular jar and cover, porcelain with relief decoration of fretwork (body) and lion dog (knob), painted in underglaze blue
 Acquired 2015
Globular Box and Cover
 Acquired 1938
Girl Dancing with her smock held out before her
 Acquired 1950
Georgian mirror
 Acquired 1928
George Frideric Handel, as Apollo
 Acquired 1965
Garden
 Acquired 1968
Furisode kimono
 Acquired 2008
Fresco depicting a Bodhisavatta
 Acquired 1927
French Romanesque Triple Window
 Acquired 1937
French Empire Tea service
 Acquired 1973
Free Essence 6
 Acquired 2009
Frederick Henry Yates 1797-1842 ('Yates Reminiscences')
 Acquired 1950
Four South-East Asian sculptures
 Acquired 1993
Four pieces of English furniture
 Acquired 1938
Four Nymphs Dancing on a grassy knoll
 Acquired 1950
Four Chinese Embroideries
 Acquired 1981
Four Beauvais Tapestry Panels
 Acquired 1955
Fortnum's brooch
 Acquired 2006
Folding writing desk
 Acquired 1933
Florence Triumphant over Pisa
 Acquired 1979
Flame bowl
 Acquired 2005
Five pieces of English Embroidery
 Acquired 1955
Five models for roundels
 Acquired 1928
Five Drawings
 Acquired 1949
Five Book Bindings
 Acquired 1938
Fishmarket, Venice
 Acquired 1950
Fish Slice
 Acquired 1919
Fire grate and pair of columns
 Acquired 1988
Fine Linen Cloth
 Acquired 1954
Figures round a Blazing Fire
 Acquired 1930
Figure of Truth as Naked Boy
 Acquired 1908
Figure of Kuan-yin
 Acquired 1934
Figure of Jizo
 Acquired 1972
Figure of Gautama
 Acquired 1929
Figure of Fudo, the Immovable
 Acquired 1927
Figure of a Girl
 Acquired 1920
Figure of a Child with a Skull and Hour-Glass
 Acquired 1936
Fan
 Acquired 1938
Facsimile edition of 'Beato de Liebana, Codice de Santo Domingo de Silos'
 Acquired 2009
Fabergé box
 Acquired 1974
Ewer and basin
 Acquired 2007
Ewer & basin from the Lomellini silver
 Acquired 1974
Eve apres la Faute
 Acquired 1926
Etching
 Acquired 1929
Engraved portrait of Edward Dewing
 Acquired 1943
English Woodwork Screen
 Acquired 1946
Enamelled Earthenware Dishes
 Acquired 1913
Enamel Panel from book
 Acquired 1931
Embroidered table-cover
 Acquired 1928
Embroidered Cope
 Acquired 1955
Embroidered Casket, Band Sampler and Needlepoint Sampler
 Acquired 1991
Embroidered Brahui Robe
 Acquired 1930
Embroidered altar-frontal
 Acquired 1964
Elizabethan state salt
 Acquired 1969
Elizabeth I cameo ring
 Acquired 2016
Eight Watercolours and Sketches
 Acquired 1949
Eight Pieces of Oriental Ceramics and Carving
 Acquired 1978
Egyptian linen panel
 Acquired 1942
Edgeware
 Acquired 1968
Earthenware vase and plate
 Acquired 1929
Earthenware jug
 Acquired 1929
Earthenware figure representing Asia
 Acquired 1959
Earthenware dish
 Acquired 1926
Dressing table of rosewood
 Acquired 1931
Drawings, Emblems and Lettering in 2 Volumes
 Acquired 1936
Drawings of modelli for sculptural projects by Giovanni Bologna
 Acquired 1993
Drawings of 13th century sculptures
 Acquired 1916
Drawing
 Acquired 1949
Doorway of a Ruined Abbey
 Acquired 1968
Doorway and Chimney-piece
 Acquired 1932
Dish painted with Hector of Troy and Chinese Birds
 Acquired 2008
Dish and Bowl
 Acquired 1947
Diptych carved with 6 miracles of Christ
 Acquired 1926
Desk
 Acquired 2002
Designs for wartime information campaign 'Careless Talk Costs Lives'
 Acquired 2006
Designs for goldsmiths and silversmiths work
 Acquired 1938
Designs for Costumes (c1589)
 Acquired 1936
Design for wallpaper: Vine
 Acquired 1989
Design for stained glass panel
 Acquired 1936
Design for scene for Cochran production
 Acquired 1955
Design for chintz: Rose
 Acquired 1989
Design for a wardrobe for the Blue Bedroom, Hous'Hill
 Acquired 1994
Design for a soup tureen
 Acquired 1917
Demon figure and Masks
 Acquired 1939
Death and the Old Man
 Acquired 1953
David Garrick's silver tea and coffee service
 Acquired 1973
Damaynati having clothes torn off her
 Acquired 1951
Dacre Heraldic Beasts
 Acquired 2000
Cruet-stand, Teapot and stand & Seal skippet
 Acquired 1960
Crucifixion Group
 Acquired 1984
Crouching Warrior
 Acquired 1992
Croatian Puzzle-Vessel
 Acquired 1916
Corner cupboard
 Acquired 2010
Corfu
 Acquired 1946
Corean Stoneware & Japanese Vase
 Acquired 1910
Coptic vase
 Acquired 1942
Coptic tapestry
 Acquired 1942
Copper urn
 Acquired 1992
Cope of purple silk of Portuguese Embroidery
 Acquired 1912
Composition with parrots and fruit
 Acquired 1950
Commode
 Acquired 1957
Commode
 Acquired 1992
Colonel Kelso
 Acquired 1953
Collection of watercolours, rugs, miniatures & crockery
 Acquired 1948
Collection of Watch-Cocks
 Acquired 1932
Collection of three pieces of porcelain and earthenware
 Acquired 1928
Collection of Three Drawings
 Acquired 1950
Collection of tapestries, textile panels, silk mosaics & beadwork box
 Acquired 2002
Collection of studies and sketches
 Acquired 2003
Collection of stage and theatrical costume designs
 Acquired 1932
Collection of six pieces of pottery and porcelain
 Acquired 1927
Collection of seven pieces of furniture
 Acquired 1961
Collection of sculptures of the12 apostles
 Acquired 1923
Collection of pottery: Japanese, English, French and Dutch
 Acquired 1911
Collection of pottery
 Acquired 1920
Collection of porcelain, earthenware & glass
 Acquired 1921
Collection of pictures and travel books relating to the Middle East
 Acquired 1986
Collection of Paintings on Glass
 Acquired 1955
Collection of Oriental ceramics
 Acquired 2010
Collection of nine prints
 Acquired 1992
Collection of lantern slides of Rheims Cathedral
 Acquired 1926
Collection of Japanese Porcelain
 Acquired 1980
Collection of Italian textiles and costumes
 Acquired 1922
Collection of glass, pottery, porcelain, snuff-boxes and a games table
 Acquired 1937
Collection of four pieces of English furniture
 Acquired 1963
Collection of five pieces of porcelain and earthenware
 Acquired 1928
Collection of Five Drawings
 Acquired 1933
Collection of five designs for the Dining Room at Dorchester House
 Acquired 1928
Collection of English furniture
 Acquired 1962
Collection of English Furniture
 Acquired 1954
Collection of English Furniture
 Acquired 1950
Collection of Eighty-seven Lithographs
 Acquired 1935
Collection of eighteen designs for ceiling decorations
 Acquired 1976
Collection of eight fragments of medieval woodwork
 Acquired 1928
Collection of Dutch tiles
 Acquired 1923
Collection of Drawings
 Acquired 1951
Collection of circa 450 pottery figures
 Acquired 1929
Collection of Chinese Robes, Silks and Embroideries
 Acquired 1948
Collection of books on Oriental art
 Acquired 1927
Collection of Arms and Armour
 Acquired 1931
Collection of 89 drawings & priints
 Acquired 1968
Collection of 6 pieces of furniture
 Acquired 1960
Collection of 5 Items from the Sedgwick bequest
 Acquired 1968
Collection of 44 drawings
 Acquired 1972
Collection of 39 Indonesian textiles
 Acquired 1921
Collection of 3,268 photographs of historical monuments
 Acquired 1927
Collection of 26 pieces of pottery
 Acquired 1912
Collection of 22 drawings and watercolours
 Acquired 1971
Collection of 158 paintings and drawings
 Acquired 1955
Collection of 12 Etchings
 Acquired 1951
Coffer
 Acquired 2006
Coffee Pot & Waiter
 Acquired 1915
Coal Barges on the Medway
 Acquired 1968
Clump of Trees
 Acquired 1968
Clock
 Acquired 1932
Clock
 Acquired 1959
Chung porcelain bowl
 Acquired 1924
Christ upon a Golden Throne
 Acquired 1921
Chinese vase
 Acquired 1923
Chinese Robe
 Acquired 1933
Chinese jar
 Acquired 1925
Chinese brush pot and stand
 Acquired 1921
Chepstow
 Acquired 2002
Chatelaine and watch
 Acquired 2004
Chasuble
 Acquired 1921
Charles II Tankard
 Acquired 1938
Charity & Figure of a boy
 Acquired 1927
Charity
 Acquired 1911
Chamba paintings
 Acquired 1951
Chalice & Paten
 Acquired 1961
Chair
 Acquired 1992
Ceramic dish
 Acquired 2006
Casting bottle
 Acquired 1987
Cassiobury Park, Watford
 Acquired 1931
Cassel Beaker
 Acquired 2005
Carved figure of Kwan-Yin
 Acquired 1929
Carved container
 Acquired 2006
Caricature portrait of Francis Williams
 Acquired 1929
Card table & Tall-boy
 Acquired 1967
Candlestand
 Acquired 1966
Candelabra and Soup Tureens
 Acquired 1995
Caernarvon Castle
 Acquired 1945
Bust of Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia
 Acquired 1967
Bust of Marie Feodorowna Empress of Russia
 Acquired 1945
Bust of King Charles I
 Acquired 1999
Bust of Gabriello Chiabrera
 Acquired 1991
Bust of François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire
 Acquired 1948
Bust of Daniel Finch
 Acquired 1999
Bust of Cardinal Paolo Emilio Zacchia
 Acquired 1970
Bust of Cardinal Bernardino Panciatici
 Acquired 1966
Bust of an unknown man
 Acquired 1970
Bureau Dressing Table
 Acquired 1956
Brooch & ring
 Acquired 2006
Brooch
 Acquired 2013
Brooch
 Acquired 2006
Brooch
 Acquired 1999
Brooch
 Acquired 1999
Bronze Bell
 Acquired 1931
Briques (Bricks) - Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography
 Acquired 2013
Breast Ornament
 Acquired 1953
Brazier
 Acquired 1905
Brass bowl
 Acquired 1914
Bracket Clock
 Acquired 1964
Bracelet & Boucheron
 Acquired 1976
Bowl and Dish
 Acquired 2000
Border of filet lace
 Acquired 1907
Bonheur du Jour
 Acquired 1992
Bodhisattva Mask
 Acquired 1967
Boat Builders & Gompa Top
 Acquired 1932
Birdcage Walk, London
 Acquired 2002
Bible - Old Testament (12 drawings)
 Acquired 2001
Bergere chair
 Acquired 1992
Beadwork Panels
 Acquired 1938
Beadwork Basket
 Acquired 1936
Basilewsky Situla
 Acquired 1933
Baroque pearl set
 Acquired 2006
Art of the Sikhs
 Acquired 1951
Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography (2012)
 Acquired 2013
Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography
 Acquired 2011
Aro Oniomo, 1972
 Acquired 2015
Armorial Travelling Desk
 Acquired 2001
Armchair & dressing table
 Acquired 2003
Armchair
 Acquired 1965
Armchair
 Acquired 1992
Arm chair & footstool
 Acquired 1928
Antonio Canova in his studio with Henry Tresham
 Acquired 1998
Angeli Ministrantes tapestry
 Acquired 1993
Anatolian rug
 Acquired 1943
An ormolu mantel clock for Frederick, Prince of Wales
 Acquired 2016
An Etui
 Acquired 1979
An Elizabethan Lady in Court Costume
 Acquired 1943
An elaborate Cartouche with the Medici Arms flanked by Justice and Wisdom
 Acquired 2008
An album of 42 miniatures
 Acquired 1944
An Abbey Gateway
 Acquired 1936
Altarpiece
 Acquired 1968
Alice Hilliard, nee Brandon
 Acquired 1941
Album of Paintings & Calligraphy
 Acquired 1965
Album of drawings from Mandalay
 Acquired 2009
Album of 97 designs for silks
 Acquired 1992
Album of 209 engravings
 Acquired 1965
A Village Fete
 Acquired 1968
A View in the Basses-Alpes
 Acquired 1974
A Turkish Mill: Chikaey & View from Drachenfels & Venice
 Acquired 1968
A silver mate pot and bombilla
 Acquired 1949
A Sea Marsh
 Acquired 1968
A Ruined Bridge, Avignon
 Acquired 1950
A Road through a Wood
 Acquired 1968
A pair of Venetian console tables
 Acquired 2012
A Neapolitan Pasta-seller with Customers eating Spaghetti
 Acquired 1988
A mill at Tewksbury & Rosa Sera
 Acquired 1922
A meeting of brides of Christ on their wedding day to their Lord at the nunnery in Godalming, Surrey, 1965
 Acquired 2011
A Library Table
 Acquired 1948
A Lady
 Acquired 1939
A Japanese Lacquered dish
 Acquired 1957
A Hindoo Woman going to the Bath
 Acquired 1939
A Group of Three Women
 Acquired 1951
A Fete
 Acquired 1939
A Family of Three at Tea
 Acquired 1934
A Demonstration
 Acquired 1987
A crowd of men, women and children
 Acquired 1939
A collection of seven pieces of pottery
 Acquired 1914
A Collection of Furniture
 Acquired 1983
A Collection of 15-17th century Italian Weavings
 Acquired 1916
A Cabinet & an Armchair
 Acquired 1956
A black morocco wallet for letters
 Acquired 1918
A Belgian Peasant
 Acquired 1933
952 photographs of Westminster Abbey & 8 of the Church of St Oswald
 Acquired 1925
9 Pieces of Porcelain
 Acquired 2001
6,717 photographs of historical monuments
 Acquired 1923
6 stained glass roundels
 Acquired 1923
6 rubbings of reliefs from the Mausoleum of T'ai Tsung, 627-650
 Acquired 1922
6 medals
 Acquired 1906
56 pieces of pottery and porcelain
 Acquired 1922
55 pieces of pottery and porcelain
 Acquired 1923
52 pieces of Japanese earthenware and porcelain
 Acquired 1910
47 pieces of pottery and porcelain
 Acquired 1924
47 pieces of porcelain, stoneware and earthenware
 Acquired 1921
47 illustrations to Vanishing England
 Acquired 1920
38 pieces of pottery, porcelain and faience
 Acquired 1926
34 pieces of pottery and porcelain
 Acquired 1925
32 pieces of pottery, porcelain and glass
 Acquired 1922
3 volumes of photographs
 Acquired 1922
3 pieces of Chinese lacquer work and 2 earthenware vases
 Acquired 1925
3 pieces of Bordeaux porcelain
 Acquired 1922
3 etchings
 Acquired 1925
23 plates and title page from a volume of goldsmiths designs
 Acquired 1907
21 works of art and books
 Acquired 1918
21 costume designs for the 17th century Ballet de Cour
 Acquired 1986
20 Drawings
 Acquired 2001
2 volumes of Photographs of Herefordshire - Horniman collection
 Acquired 1932
2 velvet covers with fringes
 Acquired 1906
2 tile pictures with shipping subjects
 Acquired 1925
2 iron fire-dogs
 Acquired 1906
16 woodcuts from the Teurdank series
 Acquired 1951
135 photographs of Japan and Japanese life
 Acquired 1925
12 drawings and a sketch book
 Acquired 1947
1) Tir A'Mhurain, south Uist, Outer Hebrides; 2) Rock, Porte Lorne, Nova Scotia; 3) Rinconda, New Mexico; 4) Haying, Haut-Rhin
 Acquired 1975
1) Saida in Green; 2) Jam Ena Angels (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
1) Polygonzug 6/7/64 Nr. 2; 2) Rechteckschraffen 30/3/65 Nr. 1-4; 3-6) Quadrate Werden Rot
 Acquired 2014
1) Persimmon (Afarsemon); 2) Rimon (Pomegranate); 3) Grapefruit (Eshkolit) - Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography
 Acquired 2013
1) Lightening - from San Marino (Italy); 2) Hyacinth Emerging (The Mysteries of the Garden no 5)
 Acquired 2009
1) Basket with Beer Cans; 2) Table with Stereo from the series 'Qajar' (Art Fund Collection of Middle Eastern Photography)
 Acquired 2009
Électricité
 Acquired 2001
'Pinmen' brooch
 Acquired 2006
'Music': panel of Stained Glass
 Acquired 1918
'Eyes' brooches
 Acquired 2006
'Boys among Vines' tapestry panel
 Acquired 1918

There are more than 100 Art Funded works in the V&A collections, including paintings by Constable, Turner and Gainsborough, ceramics by Edmund de Waal and tapestries by William Morris.

Immediately recognisable in image and reproduction, Antonio Canova's neoclassical marble sculpture of Zeus's daughters, The Three Graces, was nearly lost from the UK when it was acquired by the Getty Museum in 1994. The Art Fund was able to help secure it, and it is now shared between the V&A and the National Galleries of Scotland.

In 2015, Art Fund supported the acquisition of The Wolsey Angels, originally commissioned by Henry VIII's chief advisor, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, to adorn his tomb. After he fell out of favour with the monarch, Wolsey's belongings were appropriated by Henry and the statues disappeared into the unknown. Following separate rediscoveries of two pairs of the angels in 1994 and 2008, they are now reunited in the V&A collection.

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Exhibitions at V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Écarlate afternoon dress, Autumn-Winter 1955 Haute Couture collection, Y line

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams

Kelly Wilson wearing tie dress by Mary Quant's Ginger Group, 1966

Mary Quant

Last Chance
No Man’s Sky, 2016

Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt

Image credits

1 . Oliver Messel collection of theatre designs

© The artist's estate

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