The CollectionsSir John Soane's Museum comprises his collections and personal effects, acquired between the 1780s and his death in 1837. INDEX TO COLLECTIONS
ON-LINE CATALOGUES A summary list of the holdings is as follows:Egyptian and Graeco-Egyptian antiquities: 38 Works by named English Sculptors: John Flaxman: 55 Miscellaneous sculpture: Stone, marble, alabaster, terracotta & Coade Stone: 39 Architectural drawings and prints: Bound Volumes of Italian drawings: 1430 Furniture (approximately 325 items) Soane's archive of personal and business papers. General note on ProvenanceNearly every work of art in the Soane collection has a recorded provenance, the evidence being either in the rare & valuable collection of sale catalogues, marked with Soane's purchases, or in the Archive bills, letters and journals. There is also the evidence of Soane's own written accounts of his house, the three Descriptions published in 1830, 1832 & 1835. Both the building and its collections are amongst the best-documented in the world. Egyptian and Classical AntiquitiesThe antiquities range from the sarcophagus of Seti I, one of the finest Egyptian pieces outside Egypt, to a small group of high quality Roman bronzes thought to have come from Pompeii and two small ushabti figures collected in Egypt by Napoleon's Egyptologist Dominique-Vivant Denon. The collection also includes an important group of Roman decorative fragments collected in Italy by the architect Charles Heathcote Tatham for Henry Holland in the 1790s. Tatham's letters to Holland, with drawings, descriptions and locations of his finds are also in the Soane. Soane acquired his collection in England, usually through the salerooms, and many items came from distinguished earlier collections - for example those of Lord Bessborough, Lord Mendip, Lord Berwick, Robert Adam and Piranesi. Soane's collection of Greek and Roman vases is an example of a surviving early 19th century private collection, inspired by Sir William Hamilton's celebrated collection, published in his Vasi and includes a fine group of 4th century BC Apulian and South Italian vases. Amongst these is a campanian bell crater by an artist now known as the Soane Painter, of whose work there is another example in the Ashmolean. The Cawdor Vase was already celebrated for its size and exceptionally good state of preservation when Soane bought it at the sale of Lord Cawdor's effects in 1800 and the Englefield Vase, acquired in 1823, is of unusual shape and decoration as well as from a famous collection. The most important antiquities include: The Sarcophagus of Seti I c.1370BC with fragments of its lid Canopic vase from the tomb of Seti I Two Egyptian stelae, 12th-17th Dynasty. The Ephesian Diana: a 2nd Century Roman version of the celebrated cult statue of Diana at Ephesus. The Soane statue was probably excavated in Rome in the early 1500s and, with another in the Capitoline Museum, provided the image of the Ephesian Diana which appears in Raphael's decorations in the Vatican Loggia (1518-19). The Antiquarian Ulisse Aldrovandi mentions it as in the collection of Cardinal Pio da Carpi in 1550 - one of the most important 16th century Roman collections - and it was later in the famous collection of Pope Julius III in the Vigna Giulia, Rome. It was engraved by Montfaucon in L'Antiquité Expliquée 1719 and bought by Soane at the Bessborough Sale, 1804. Wooden mummy case, from the Duke of Richmond's collection at Whitehall: said to be one of the first unwrapped in England and to be shown in Rowlandson's caricature The Antiquary. Fragment from the frieze on the north portico of the Erechtheion, the Acropolis, Athens: only major piece of the frieze outside Greece. Bust of a Roman lady (M779) c.60AD closely related to that of Clytie in the British Museum Roman bust, one of an important group of Roman copies of the so-called 'Westmacott Athlete' (British Museum) type, after a Greek bronze by Polycleitos. 67 Roman marbles collected by Tatham for Henry Holland in Rome in the 1790s The Cawdor Vase, South Italian, 4th century BC Medieval AntiquitiesThe most important pieces include: Stone elements from the 14th century House of Lords and Prince's Chamber - the only known surviving parts of its structure. Wooden patera from the boss of the 13th century Painted Chamber at the Palace of Westminster: kept by Soane during alterations. The Chamber was destroyed in the 1834 fire and this patera is a unique survival. Wooden boss from the 13th century painted chamber: unique Renaissance antiquitiesThe most important pieces include: Maiolica plate from the workshop of Guido Durantino, Urbino, 1535: one of 19 surviving pieces of a large service made for Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France for his Chateau at Écouen, north of Paris. Terracotta model by Bandini for figure of 'Architecture' on Michelangelo's tomb, Santa Croce, Florence designed by Giorgio Vasari, 1564 (model for companion figure in V&A). Bronze statuette of Mercury said to come from the Medici-Riccardi Palace in Florence, after an original by Giovanni Bologna (Giambologna), Museo Civico, Bologna. Another celebrated versions are in the Bargello (Florence), Vienna and Naples. The Soane statuette may be by Giambologna or an assistant, perhaps Pietro Tacca (1577-1640). Italian bronze statuette of Hercules (c.1540) described by Sir John Pope-Hennessy as 'quite exceptionally high quality', perhaps by Pieriono da Vinci. Relates to other examples in the Casa Buonarroti and Bargello (Florence) and the Louvre. The Naseby Jewel: hat pin with a figure of a cavalier in the centre, studded with rubies dating from c.1630, said to have been dropped by Charles I at the battle of Naseby. 17th and 18th-century sculptureImportant pieces include: Giovanni Guelfi (fl.1714-34), terracotta model for James Craggs tomb, Westminster Abbey. The first statue in 18th century England to derive its pose directly from Classical Roman sources. Arnold Quellin (1609-88), terracotta statuette of Charles II, model for marble statue on the Royal Exchange, City of London, 1684. Michael Rysbrack (1694-1770), terracotta figure of Van Dyck & terracotta model for relief of the surrender of Marshall Tallard to the Duke of Marlborough after the Battle of Blenheim in the Chapel at Blenheim Palace. L.F. Roubiliac (1702-62): medallion portrait of Handel. John Bacon the elder (1740-99): terracotta model for the tomb of Daniel Seton, Bombay. Neo-Classical SculptureSoane's collection of Neo-Classical sculpture is recognised as of immense significance. It includes works by most of the leading sculptors of his day, with an especially fine collection of models by John Flaxman. Soane had the pick of Flaxman's studio after his death and apart from University College London, this is the finest collection of his work, including three rare terracottas made before Flaxman began producing his models in plaster. The collection is also of interest because Soane selected pieces to represent major political figures and events of his day and his his Museum is therefore a record of his own life and times, including portrait busts of a wide range of celebrated figures (Napoleon, the actor John Philip Kemble, the artists Henry Howard and Sir Thomas Lawrence, Sir William Chambers, George Dance, William Pitt, Warren Hastings, Richard Brinsley Sheridan and the heroes of the war against Napoleon, Prince Blücher and General Paoli - the Corsican patriot). Soane also acquired models for significant late 18th-early 19th century memorials in St. Pauls and Westminster Abbey including the statue of Joshua Reynolds (St. Pauls) and the Mansfield Monument (Westminster - the first monument 'in the round' in England). The collection also includes the model for the celebrated monument to Penelope Boothby in Ashbourne Church, Derbyshire by Thomas Banks - when shown at the Royal Academy it moved Queen Charlotte to tears and it is the epitome of neoclassical sentiment. Important sculpture includes: Thomas Banks: model for the monument to Penelope Boothby, Ashbourne Church, Derbyshire. Thomas Banks: plaster model for 'Achilles and Thetis' (marble in V&A). Francis Chantry: marble bust of Sir John Soane, 1829, described by the sculptor as the best thing he had ever done. Plaster model in the Ashmolean (Chantry Bequest). George Garrard: bust of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Louis Merlieux: bust of Georges Cuvier, Napoleon's scientific advisor. Sievier: bust of Sir Thomas Lawrence. Turnerelli: equestrian statue of George III. Richard Westmacott: marble bust of Sir William Chambers and plaster of a 'Nymph' (marble original at Castle Howard destroyed by fire 1940). John Flaxman: wide variety of models including many for national memorials and monuments (Robert Burns, Reynolds, William Pitt, Lord Mansfield, Warren Hastings), casts from Flaxman's collection, chess-men modelled for Wedgwood, early self-portraits and a portrait of Mrs. Soane and an early wax model by Flaxman of the Hercules Hesperides in the British Museum. CastsSoane's collection sheds light on cast manufacturing in the early 19th century, with makers often recorded in Soane's Journals and ledgers. It demonstrates the thriving trade in casts of pieces from private and public collections (casts of items from Ince Blundell, Sir George Beaumont's collection, The British Museum and others). Included are rare life masks of the artist Thomas Banks and the actress Sarah Siddons. Important casts include: John Bacon, medallion, Flight of Aeneas from Troy with which he won the first Royal Academy Gold Medal for Sculpture. Henry Webber, medallion, 'The Judgement of Midas', with which he won the Gold Medal for sculpture (the same year as Soane won it for architecture). Chellini Madonna by Donatello: 18th century cast made in England (one of only three casts known). Taddeo Tondo, Michaelangelo: made in England when the marble was in the collection of Sir George Beaumont. The complete cast collection of the architect Willey ‘The Athenian' Reveley, bought at the Reveley sale 1801 (40-50 items). Casts formerly belonging to James Playfair (scottish architect) Cast of the Apollo Belvedere, made for Lord Burlington in Italy c.1719 and formerly at Chiswick House. Collection of 91 casts made by Canova's workshop in Rome c.1820 for the architect Lewis Wyatt including casts from temples, churches and the sculpture collection of the Polish Prince Poniatowsky. The collection came to the Soane in 1834 with Wyatt's original catalogue.
Early casts made by the British Museum of one of Lord Elgin's marbles and 'The Apotheosis of Homer' (formerly in the Colonna Palace, Rome). Oriental objects300 Chinese tiles described by Anthony Ray in the 1950s as 'the most notable collection of Chinese tiles in Europe'. Recent research has shown that there are in fact only 5 such known in the world apart from those at the Soane and Professor Jörg of the Groninger Museum (Netherlands) a leading authority on Chinese tiles, described them in 1998 as 'the largest collection of Chinese tiles anywhere'. A very good quality Nankin Chinese porcelain export dinner service with between 200 & 300 surviving pieces. A Chinese printed scroll dated 1721 described in February 1999 by Frances Wood of the Chinese section at the British Library as 'a piece of Chinese pseudoscience... about divination. ....such things are very rare indeed as they would not often have been kept in China or accorded space in a respectable Confucian library'. TimepiecesSoane's collection of clocks and timepieces is of great interest to horologists. The most important items are as follows: Calendar watch by Langley Bradley, presented to Sir Christopher Wren by Queen Anne c.1690s-early 1700s. Astonomical clock by Raingo of Paris, one of five made for the Prince Regent and his brothers. Bought by Soane after the death of the Duke of York (1827). Eight-day marine chronometer, designed by Thomas Mudge, late 18th century. No. 10 of 15 chronometers made to Mudge's design by his son. Made for the Duke of Marlborough and recently described as 'the finest Mudge copy in existence'. Clocks by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy and Thwaites and Reed, in cases designed by Soane - the only examples in existence. Long-case clock by Threlkeld with marquetry case c.1690 FurnitureThe furniture and fixtures in Sir John Soane's Museum represents a rare survival of ordinary domestic furniture of the early 19th century - the set of kitchen chairs and small domestic items such as book carriers being especially rare. The patent Kitchen range dating (1812) is thought by the kitchen historian Peter Brears to be unique. There are also many pieces designed by Soane and made for him by John Robins and other makers - including desks and unusual tables incorporating portfolio cabinets, drawers and cupboards. The bookcases in the Library-Dining Room, incorporating stained glass, and those in the Picture Room inlaid with ebony, are especially fine. Soane also collected various items of important historic furniture as follows: Three tables probably designed by William Kent - thought to have been made for the Prime Minister Robert Walpole; acquired by Soane from Walpole's London home in Chelsea. Sir Robert Walpole's desk. Indian ivory table and four chairs, mid-18th century. Eight Chinese padouk wood chairs of c.1720, made in canton to a European pattern and inlaid with mother-of-pearl; said to be an exceptionally rare survival. Stained GlassSoane's collection of stained glass was bought at auction and includes 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th century glass from The Netherlands, France and Germany. It represents an important group of small scale roundels and panels of the type found in monasteries and convents - much of which was destroyed in Europe during the 18th century. Soane commented that most had come from monasteries destroyed during the French Revolution. PaintingsThe glories of the Soane collection are the three Canalettos ('Riva degli Schiavoni, The Rialto Bridge from the North and Piazza S. Marco) and two series of Hogarth paintings, A Rake's Progress and An Election. Canaletto's Riva was described by the late J.G. Links, the world's leading expert on Canaletto, as amongst the finest half-dozen Canalettos in existance and the Hogarths represent two of the three surviving series of 'modern moral subjects' painted by Hogarth (the other is in the National Gallery). During the 1820s and 1830s Soane collected works by contemporary artists, many specially commissioned, in order to encourage a British School of painting. Other collectors shared the same desire to patronize British art: John Durno had created the Shakespeare Gallery in the late 18th century (its contents were auctioned in 1805; Soane bought two pictures) and the painter Henry Fuseli attempted a 'Milton Gallery' in the early 1800s. Sir John Leicester opened his Gallery of British Art to the public from 1818. Soane's taste was shared by private collectors like Richard Payne Knight and Thomas Hope. None of these collections of British art survive. Soane's collection epitomises Regency taste, with its predominance of Shakespearean and historical scenes. The collection also contains portraits of Napoleon by Isabey and Goma(?): the latter a rare early portrait. Important paintings include: William Hogarth, A Rake's Progress; An Election Canaletto Riva degli Schiavoni, A view of St. Mark's Square and The Rialto Bridge. Antoine Watteau Les Noces. Samuel Scott View on the River Thames. Sir Augustus Wall Callcott The Passage Point and A view on the Thames at Greenwich. J.M.W. Turner Val D'Aosta and Kirkstall Abbey (watercolour) & Admiral Van Tromp's Barge entering the Texel (oil). Sir Joshua Reynolds The Snake in the Grass. Sir Thomas Lawrence Portrait of Sir John Soane. William Beechey Portrait of Sir Francis Bourgeois William Owen Portrait of John Soane and Portrait of John and George Soane Charles Lock Eastlake Una delivering the Red Cross Knight from the Cave of Despair. Henry Howard Lear and Cordelia, The Vision of Shakespeare and The story of Pandora's Box (the latter a series of ceiling paintings which Howard described as my monument). Henry Fuseli Ezzelier Count of Ravenna musing over the body of Meduna, slain by him.
Richard Westall Milton dictating to his daughters. James Durno A scene from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. Richard Hamilton Richard II landing at Milford Haven (after Shakespeare). Edward Bird The Cheat Detected. Clara Maria Pope The Flowers of Shakespeare. Sir Francis Bourgeois Mr. Kemble as Coriolanus William Hilton Marc Anthony reading Caesar's Will (after Shakespeare) Picture FramesThe frame of J.M.W. Turner's Val D'Aosta is notable for its rarity and early date: most of Turner's works, including those in the Turner bequest at the Tate, have been separated from their original frames. The Soane picture was bought direct from Turner's gallery and remains in the frame chosen by the artist -as does the Turner Van Tromp painting bought by Soane in the 1830s. The collection includes a fine group of 18th and early 19th century frame styles and also includes the frames Soane designed for the works he exhibited each year at the Royal Academy - rare examples of architect-designed picture frames. The frames at the Soane are rare and important examples of historic framing techniques, many retaining makers labels, early 19th century paper linings and original backboards. Many frames have not been opened since they were made. Building FabricSir John Soane's Museum is a repository of miscellaneous items of building fabric, many rare survivals. These include a wide variety of early 19th century nails, screws and bolts preserved in the structure of the Museum and as fixings for objects as well as window frames and glazing bars, window latches, sash lifts, sash weights, early 19th century sash cord, doors and door furniture. HOME | MAP | HISTORY | BIBLIOGRAPHY | EXHIBITIONS | LECTURES | SERVICES | NEWS | SHOP| LINKS |