Masterpiece bookcases by Robert Adam come home to Croome Court permanently from the V&A

Visitors will be able to see a new display about the bookcases which opens on Friday 25 July 2025 at Croome Court.

Initially loaned to the National Trust, the V&A have agreed to transfer ownership of the bookcases to the Trust ensuring that they will stay at Croome permanently.

The V&A bought the bookcases in 1975 as significant works of art when Croome Court was being used as a school. Most of the original contents of this country house were sold off and scattered in the 20th century before the property came into the care of the National Trust.

The V&A has made this transfer to the National Trust, which has cared for Croome Court since 2007, so that the bookcases can been enjoyed by the public in their original home once more. It is thanks to the generous loan to the V&A from the Samuel Courtauld Trust of an 18th century medal cabinet designed by William Chambers for the first Earl of Charlemont that the V&A has been able to send the final part of the bookcases back to Croome Court.

Since the first sections of the carefully disassembled pieces of the bookcases arrived at Croome Court, they have been inspected by conservation staff and some are on show in a display that also explains the story of their journey. In November 2024, the other half of the bookcases that had been on display in the British Galleries at the V&A, were dismantled, packed, and arrived at Croome.

Over the coming years they will be reassembled as part of an evolving project – culminating in their reinstatement in the Library at Croome Court. A new display showing the complex jib door pieces and a video showing the work happening will be opening on Friday 25 July 2025.

They are regarded as among the finest bookcases designed and made in 18th-century Britain. Commissioned by the 6th Earl of Coventry, they were made specifically for Croome Court and designed using Adam’s innovative neo-classical, architectural principles, with carving by Sefferin Alken, a craftsman frequently employed by Adam.

The bookcases were constructed by King George III’s own cabinetmakers, who were paid the equivalent today of seven years’ wages of a skilled tradesperson for their work – a testament to their beauty and quality, which will be revealed to the public once more.

Ben Shipston, Assistant Director, National Trust said: 'Of the roll call of significant designers who played an important part in shaping the Croome you see today one of the most influential is Robert Adam who as well as being responsible for designing several of the buildings in the Park designed three rooms inside the Court.

'One of these was the library and these bookcases and so thanks to the generosity of the V&A we are delighted to bring them back to the space they originally adorned.'

Dr. Tarnya Cooper, Curatorial and Conservation Director, National Trust said: 'The gift of the Croome bookcases from the Victoria and Albert Museum marks the culmination of a project which has been many years in the making, as well as the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Croome library.

'We are really grateful to the V&A for working so closely with us to make this happen so we can showcase collections where they are most meaningful. Our visitors will now be able to experience extraordinary art and design in their intended architectural and historical context – deepening understanding and appreciation of their significance. We are looking forward to the creative opportunities that this gift will bring to Croome over the years to come.'

Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A said: 'Robert Adam (1728 – 92) was one of the most important British architects working in the Neoclassical style and his designs for the Library at Croome Court date from early-on in his career as he was defining his style.

'The bookcases reference the architecture of Croome itself, and elements of monumental stone architecture from ancient Greece and Rome, with Ionic pilasters (flat columns) supporting a central pediment and cresting along the top copied directly from the choragic monument of Lysicrates in Athens. The craftsmanship of Sefferin Alken’s carving is exquisite, and it’s incredibly rare that we have a named carver attached to furniture from this period. At the V&A, we’re dedicated to sharing the nation’s collections across the UK and around the world – we hope visitors to Croome Court will enjoy taking part in these special events and a rare opportunity to see a section of these bookshelves inside the beautiful house for which they were originally created.'