It is nearly a year since we began following art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, in her quest to unearth the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill. In this eleventh instalment of our blog series a simple case of mistaken identity leads Silvia to discover a rare painting of a young Emperor Charles V, which Walpole never knew he possessed. Continue reading
Launched on 18 October at Strawberry Hill House, the ‘Lost Treasures of Strawberry Hill’ exhibition is now open to the public to explore and immerse themselves in Walpole’s world of darkly glamorous ‘gloomth’. The opening of the exhibition marks an exciting new chapter in our series retracing the treasures from Walpole’s lost collection. In this tenth instalment, art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, appeals to a mysterious guest who attended the opening night of the exhibition, claimed to own a missing gothic table, which once sat in the Great Parlour at Strawberry Hill and disappeared without a trace. Continue reading
In this seventh instalment of our special blog series, we continue to follow art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, as she goes on the hunt for the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill House. Silvia follows the trail of three sculptures that embody Walpole’s fascination with the antique world and formed a core part of his iconic collection. Continue reading
A missing Roman fresco, which once belonged to 18th century collector and man of letters, Horace Walpole, is due to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in July 2018. Continue reading
In this sixth instalment of our special blog series, we continue to follow art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, on the trail of the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill House. This month, Silvia has been sleuthing for a striking Italian Duchess whose tragic fate cast a spell on the young Horace Walpole and inspired the creation of the word ‘serendipity’.
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In this fourth instalment of our special blog series, we continue to follow art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, on the trail of the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill House. Silvia unearths some astonishing finds when she delves deeper into Walpole’s collection of antique artefacts and explores his fascination with the ancient world.
Rome, February 1740. A young Horace Walpole arrives and I imagine the late winter sun illuminating his face, earnest and flushed with anticipation as he trawls the city for fashionable parties and collectible antiques. Continue reading
In this third instalment of our special blog series, we continue to follow art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli’s quest to find the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill House. Formerly the home of Horace Walpole in the 18th century, Strawberry Hill House was emptied of Walpole’s celebrated art collection when it was scattered 200 years ago. Silvia is now sifting through archives and searching museums in every corner of the globe to uncover the lost treasures in a bid to restore them to Strawberry Hill. Can you help her in her quest?
When we last left Silvia, she was on the hunt for the lost dagger of King Henry VIII. We rejoin her now in her quest to find another lost treasure of Strawberry Hill House, a painted portrait which inspired a gothic ghost story. Continue reading
In this second instalment of our special blog series, we continue to follow art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli’s quest to find the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill House. Formerly the home of Horace Walpole in the 18th century, Strawberry Hill House was emptied of Walpole’s celebrated art collection when it was scattered 200 years ago. Silvia is now sifting through archives and searching museums in every corner of the globe to uncover the lost treasures in a bid to restore them to Strawberry Hill. Can you help her in her quest?
Charles Kean turns the dagger over and over in his hands, rubies burn red like flames lapping at the handle. Visions of its former owner, Henry VIII leap into his imagination, the great mountain of a king cutting a monumental figure in ermine and gold brocade, bejewelled fist clasping a dagger as in the portrait after Hans Holbein the Younger. Continue reading
Ever wondered what it takes to unearth long lost artworks? What kind of detective work is required to retrace treasured antiques and objets d’art scattered two hundred years ago? This is the fate that befell the celebrated collection of antiquarian and man of letters, Horace Walpole, once displayed in his home, Strawberry Hill House. Centuries on, this special blog series first will follow art historian and provenance researcher, Silvia Davoli, in her hunt for the lost treasures of Strawberry Hill and her bid to restore Walpole’s collections to his legendary gothic rooms. Continue reading
