Our latest collection acquisitions

Conservator April Johnson applies touch up paint to the fine oil painting 'Penelope and Euriclea' by Angelica Kauffman displayed inside the picture gallery, Stourhead, Wiltshire — 'Penelope and Euriclea' undergoing conservation work, Stourhead, Wiltshire | © National Trust/Petra Mirosevic-Sorgo

We’re developing our collections by acquiring items with a connection to the places we care for, so they can be enjoyed by current and future generations. Discover some recently added items and the stories behind them, from objects that have been kindly donated, to those purchased at nail-biting auctions.

If you would like to offer us an item that's linked to one of our places, find out here how to donate objects.

Examples of recent acquisitions

'The Ball Room at Londonderry House'

This atmospheric 1918 painting by Sir John Lavery (1856–1941), offers a rare glimpse into the Ball Room of Londonderry House – once a grand London residence, now lost to time after its demolition in 1962.

The scene is both intimate and poignant, capturing a moment of care and calm amid the chaos of the First World War. Londonderry House was the city home of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry, and his wife Edith, whose main estate was Mount Stewart in County Down. Charles and Edith transformed the house into a hospital and a haven known as 'the Ark' – a place where wounded soldiers and other guests could find comfort and escape.

Since joining the collection, the painting has been carefully conserved, including the addition of a new frame that reflects the artist’s original vision. It was acquired by Private Treaty Sale, with the support of Art Fund and another fund set up by the late Simon Sainsbury. It will be on public display at Mount Stewart in late 2025.

The painting 'The Ball Room at Londonderry House' by Sir John Lavery at Mount Stewart, County Down | © National Trust/James Dobson

The Ford Collection

This group of artworks – formerly in the collection of Sir Brinsley Ford (1908–99) – was accepted under the Cultural Gifts Scheme by HM Government and allocated to us at Osterley Park and House, London. Sir Brinsley was a dedicated collector, scholar and supporter of the arts, with a particular interest in the Grand Tour – the extended European travels undertaken by wealthy British people in the 18th century. His collection, built around this theme, reflects the artistic and cultural influences that shaped British taste during that period.

Among the items now on display are Sir William Hamilton’s influential study of Mount Vesuvius; a portrait of Sir Humphrey Morice by Pompeo Batoni; and a portrait of Henry Lyte by Raphael Mengs. Both Batoni and Mengs were artists closely associated with Grand Tour portraiture.

Sideboard from Hughenden

A striking mahogany sideboard, once owned by the Victorian prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81), was donated to us at Hughenden in Buckinghamshire. The piece of furniture, possibly made by the respected firm Gillows of Lancaster, was sold following Disraeli’s death.

In 1952, the sideboard was purchased for £10 (roughly £300 today) by Tom Parker, co-founder of the Parker Knoll Furniture Company. Thanks to the generosity of Mr Parker’s descendants, it's now on display in its original setting in Hughenden's dining room, adding a tangible connection to Disraeli’s life and legacy.

More recent acquisitions

'Penelope and Euriclea' by Angelica Kauffman

Angelica Kauffman's 'Penelope and Euriclea' returned to Stourhead, Wiltshire, in 2023. It was originally bought by Stourhead’s creator, Henry Hoare II 'the Magnificent' (1705–85), back in 1773. However, faced with debts and falling income, the family sold the painting in 1883 for the modest sum of 7 guineas. We recently bought it at auction, with support from a fund set up by Simon Sainsbury and a member of the Hoare family. Angelica Kauffman (1741–1807) was a prominent figure in the art world. In 'Penelope and Euriclea', she captures a scene from Homer’s Odyssey, where the faithful servant Euriclea wakes Penelope, bringing news that Penelope’s husband Odysseus has finally returned from fighting in the Trojan War and a perilous ten-year journey home.

A yellow and black carriage seen at Arlington Court and the National Carriage Museum — The Chichester Carriage at Arlington Court and the National Carriage Museum | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Chichester carriage

A family travelling carriage made for Robert Chichester (1804–82) of Hall, North Devon, was generously donated to us by Mr Garth Pedler. The carriage was made in around 1840 as a town chariot and converted later in the 19th century to a slightly larger and less formal carriage for regular family use. It’s displayed in our Carriage Museum at Arlington Court in Devon, where more than 40 carriages are on display in the former stable block.

Portrait of Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex painted by Daniel Mytens the elder, housed in wooden frame — Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex painted by Daniel Mytens the elder | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Portraits by Daniel Mytens and Thomas Gainsborough

Two superb portraits that have been on display at Knole, Kent, for over 200 years were accepted in lieu of tax by HM Government and allocated to us. The first is a 1620 portrait of Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex (1575–1645), by Daniel Mytens (c.1590–1647/8), which shows Cranfield in his robes of state and with the white wand of the Lord High Treasurer. The second, of Lord George Sackville (1716–85) by Thomas Gainsborough (1727–88), continued the family tradition of patronising fashionable court artists. It was painted in the early 1780s, at a time when Gainsborough was favoured by George III (1738–1820) and at the height of his power.

Painting of Saint Agatha, by Carlo Dolci, circa 1665-70 at Osterley Park, London — Saint Agatha, by Carlo Dolci at Osterley Park | © National Trust Images/Matthew Hollow

Dolci's 'Saint Agatha'

We acquired a painting by Baroque master Carlo Dolci (1616–87) of the early Christian martyr Saint Agatha for Osterley Park and House London, thanks to a grant from Art Fund and other generous donations. The painting was purchased by Sir Robert Child (1674–1721) at the beginning of the 18th century for the great picture collection at Osterley. It was recorded in a 1782 inventory, however, was later sold along with other family heirlooms in the 1930s. ‘Saint Agatha’ was purchased for £248,750 at the Christie’s Old Masters Evening Sale in London thanks to a grant of £85,000 from Art Fund, support from private donors, our members and visitors to Osterley Park. A fund set up by the late Simon Sainsbury to support acquisitions for our historic houses also contributed.

See Dolci's 'Saint Agatha'

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Cork model of Horse Guards' Parade in front of a fireplace at Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire

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