APPEAL

Help save a rare Rysbrack sculpture for the nation.
It’s urgent!

 

 

 

On 6 February the Minister for Culture announced an Export Licence Deferral for Michael Rysbrack’s marble relief, Two putti supporting an architrave (1735)

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-century-old-sculpture-at-risk-of-leaving-the-uk

 

 

Two putti supporting an architrave, by Michael Rysbrack (1694–1772), 1735. Marble relief, ht one metre

 

 

To save this important and unusually well preserved work of great quality, an institution and a benefactor are required. There are interested institutions ready to respond to the challenge. If anyone reading this is inspired to step up to the purchase, or can find enough to pump-prime a campaign, or knows of anyone who might be so inclined, there is no time to lose.

Unless a fund or an individual wishing either to present or lend the work to an institution with public access has expressed an interest in retaining it for the nation, the deferral will expire at midnight on 5 May 2026, and the work will go abroad.

Should an institution or individual express and interest promptly, with a realistic plan of action to find the necessary sum involved, the owner will have 15 business days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the sculpture at the recommended price of £750,000 (plus VAT of £150,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). If an offer was accepted, a second deferral period, of four months, would begin on the signing of an Option Agreement, to raise and secure the price.

Initial contact: Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art (RCEWA) on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.