Сultural Items Valued At £8.3 Million

Two paintings of London by the great Venetian painter Canaletto, a rare and stunning Anglo-Saxon coin, a medieval bronze jug, a silver cup presented to naval hero Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke by the people of his native Suffolk and other significant objects valued at a total of £8.3 million have been saved for the nation. This is revealed in the 52nd annual report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest published today.

The Reviewing Committee, which is run by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), provides independent advice to the Culture Secretary on the pre-eminence of cultural and historic objects seeking export licences. The Committee's annual report was published today, together with the second annual report to Parliament by the Culture Secretary on the operation of the export controls on objects of cultural interest.

Following recommendations from the Reviewing Committee, the Culture Minister placed temporary bars on the export of seventeen objects of outstanding significance during the period 1 May 2005 to 30 April 2006. These objects include paintings, furniture, silverware, and archaeological objects. Of these, nine items worth £8.3 million have been saved for the nation following export deferral. Details of all the cases are contained in the annual report.

Culture Minister, David Lammy, said: " It is essential that we provide an opportunity to save these vital pieces of our cultural heritage for the nation. These saved items are made available for the public to enjoy, learn from and act as a source of inspiration. Some, such as the silver presentation cup presented to Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke and the medieval bronze jug, are now displayed in localities where they hold a particularly strong significance."

Mark Wood, Chairman of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council commented, "The Chairman of the Reviewing Committee, Lord Inglewood, and all Committee members are to be applauded for their work in protecting our heritage. This scheme plays an essential role in keeping this rich mosaic intact for future generations. "

The items that have been acquired by institutions and individuals in the United Kingdom are:

"¢ The starred Anglo-Saxon gold coin of King Coenwulf of Mercia purchased by the British Museum for £357,832;

"¢ Seven Viking silver pieces (six off-cuts from silver ingots and a stamped arm-ring fragment ) purchased by the Ulster Museum for £1,000;

"¢ A medieval bronze jug purchased by Luton Museums Service for £750,000;

"¢ The Codex Stosch purchased by the British Architectural Library for £274,418;

"¢ A pair of paintings entitled View of the Grand Walk, Vauxhall Gardens and The Rotunda, Ranelagh by Giovanni Antonio Canal, II Canaletto purchased by the Compton Verney Collection Settlement at Compton Verney House for £6,000,000;

"¢ A silver cup and cover by Solomon Hougham presented to Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke, HMS Shannon, purchased by Ipswich Borough Council Museums Service for £84,000;

"¢ A medieval figure of a bronze equestrian knight purchased by the Bassetlaw Museum, Nottinghamshire for £34,000;

"¢ A Roman millefiori disc purchased by Oxfordshire Museums Service for £2,260;

"¢ A portrait of Louis XVI by Antoine-François Callet in a frame by François-Charles Buteux purchased by a family philanthropic trust for £775,000. The trustees have generously agreed to display it at Waddesdon Manor.

Unfortunately, matching funds could not be raised for all items found to be of outstanding significance. Export licences were issued for eight items including: paintings by Naddo Ceccarelli, Pietro Francesco degli Orioli and Luca Carlevarijs; a George II gothic cabinet attributed to William Hallett and a medal and silver trophy presented to naval hero Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke for his spectacular capture of USS Chesapeake during the Anglo-American war of 1812-14.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport Ministers and the Reviewing Committee were pleased to note significant grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund, the MLA/Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund, charitable and private donations which made many of these purchases possible. -- www.mla.gov.uk