A successful fundraising campaign has raised £534,000 ($895,916) to buy a Napoleonic medal cabinet for the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, saving it from export from the UK, The Art Newspaper has reported.
The Arts Council England described the work as “of such supreme quality that it is very likely to have been made for someone close to the imperial court, or even for a member of Napoleon’s family.” Based on this assessment, the British government agreed to defer granting an export license for the cabinet until July, giving the V&A time to raise the required sum to keep the precious antique in the country.
The early 19th century silver mounted amboyna and mahogany cabinet is made in the Egyptian-inspired taste of the period, and was secured by generous donations from the Art Fund and others.
Christopher Wilk, keeper of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion at the V&A said: “We are delighted to have secured this rare and remarkable object for the national collection … We are hugely grateful to the Art Fund and the other generous organizations and individuals who have helped us keep this fine object in the country.”
Follow Artnet News on Facebook:
Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.
Article topics
