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On the grid There’s a chance this month for car enthusiasts and collectors to meet some of the best contemporary automotive artists at an exhibition at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon in Warwickshire. Opening on April 4, it will feature paintings and sculptural pieces from artists including John Ketchell, Keith Woodcock, Emma Capener, Jonny Ambrose, Oliver Ray and Steve Goodwin. There will be live art sessions taking place where the artists will be depicting pieces in the museum for visitors to see. Each artist works in a variety of media, including acrylics, oil, watercolour, pen and pastels. Read Baron A secret cache of 229 letters and papers penned by some of the greatest figures of the last 500 years has gone on show at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. The remarkable find came about in 2024 following a routine cataloguing project at the Renaissance-style château. The letters, from an archive compiled by Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845-1934), range from missives from Elizabeth I to Mozart, as well as an example of Lord Nelson’s writing with his surviving left hand. The baron was a tireless collector but how he acquired some of the letters is shrouded in mystery, perhaps from a specialist dealer, although others were part of his family’s correspondence. Signifi cant Signatures: Autograph letters from the Waddesdon Archive, is on from March 26 to November 2. Above Queen Elizabeth I to King Henri IV of France, undated (c.1589-1598) © Th e Waddesdon Archive at Windmill Hill Above right Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) image Waddesdon © Hamilton Kerr Institute Above The British Motor Museum’s Stephen Laing (left) and Historic Car Art owner Rupert Whyte at last year’s event HIGHS AND LOEWES Te Loewe Foundation has announced the shortlist for its 2025 craft prize, selecting 30 artists from 18 countries after more than 4,600 worldwide submissions. Philip Eglin is one of two UK artists to make the fi nal, with his large ceramic jar inspired by 15th-century Italian Maiolica pharmacy jars and galvanised watering cans. Many of the artists employ contemporary twists on ancient craft techniques. The winner will be announced on May 29 ahead of an exhibition of the finalists’ work at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid from May 30 to June 29. Above Rosso, a ceramic jar by Philip Eglin has made the shortlist for the 2025 Loewe Foundation craft prize MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION The National Gallery has chosen four UK venues to take part in this year’s Masterpiece Tour, giving the nation a chance to see a famous work by Monet. Palace aide Visitors to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire can now use an app to guide them on personally-tailored tours. Called ‘Archie’, after Archie Illingworth the palace’s chief guide from 1950 to 1972, the app includes details on how the library became a hospital in WWII as well as how the grounds were used to test Spitfires. The palace’s, David Green, said: “The traditional audio guide gave visitors a description of what they saw before their eyes, with that description being the same for everyone. With ‘Archie’ every visitor can enjoy a unique experience.” The Sainsbury Centre in Norwich; the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery; Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery and the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull will all show the Impressionist’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil which has only left the gallery once in the last 20 years. The scheme offers four UK museums and galleries outside of London the opportunity to display three major works for three years. Previously the tour had seen a Constable visit Jarrow in 2023 and a work by Turner go to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle in 2024. Above Claude Monet (1840-1926) The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil, 1872, oil on canvas © The National Gallery, London Above Blenheim Palace has launched ‘Archie’ a new interactive guide ANTIQUE COLLECTING 9
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LETTERS Have your say Your Letters This month’s mailbag includes praise for the unlikely bedfellows Captain Pugwash and Christopher Dresser Our star letter receives a copy of British Designer Silver by John Andrew and Derek Styles worth £75. Write to us at Antique Collecting magazine, Riverside House, Dock Lane, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1PE or email magazine@ accartbooks.com Star letter What a joyous trip down memory lane you gave us last month in pursuit of that rascally pirate Captain Pugwash (Booty Call, March issue). When I look at the ludicrously realistic cartoons my grandchildren delight in, it is amazing to think how transfi xed we were at what was little more than hand-jiggled carboard cut-outs. Back in the day, like Th e Magic Roundabout and Hector’s House, children’s cartoons were broadcast just before the news, so everyone got to see them. Today they only appear on children’s channels unseen by all but the children, their parents and grandparents. What a shame. Birdy MacDonald, by email I am writing as a newly-inspired collector of porcelain, eager to share my excitement with fellow enthusiasts. What began as a casual visit to a local antiques fair has quickly turned into a passionate (and slightly obsessive) pursuit of delicate treasures from the past. Like many beginners, I initially gravitated towards the well-known names — Meissen, Royal Worceste r, and Sevres — but I’ve since discovered the thrill of uncovering lesser-known makers, regional factories, and charming, unmarked pieces with stories still waiting to be told. Th ank you for providing such an engaging magazine. Jackie Preston, by email 10 ANTIQUE COLLECTING Left John Ryan (19212009). Captain Pugwash, original gouache drawing,1979, image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions Top right Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) teapot made for James Dixon & Sons, c. 1879, image courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art Below left Porcelain in all types is a great basis for a collection, image Shutterstock I was stunned to read about the designs of the incredible I was stunned to read about the designs of the incredible polymath, Christopher Dresser, in last month’s magazine (Best Dresser, March issue). While most Victorian decorative art was overblown, elaborate and historicallyinspired, he came up with designs which still look modern today. To contemporary audiences his work must have looked like something from outer space. I wonder which designers working today have the same reach. I would love to hear readers’ thoughts. Anon, by email The answers to the quiz on page 48. Q1 (b). The name of the fi rst bubble-gum made in 1906. Early versions were brittle and not a success. It was improved and successfully marketed, in 1928. Q2 (c). Competitive Parisian tailors did not welcome his invention which they believed would cost jobs. Q3 (a). The word comes from serin the French for canary. Q4 (d). Although a spathomele and curet te could be used for mixing and spreading medicines (and pigments by artists), the vectis was used by Romans as a lever to move bones, during obstetric procedures. Q5. First-class was purple; second-class (enclosed), yellow; second-class (open-sided), green and third-class, blue. Q6 (a) They were later taken over by Airfi x. Q7 (c). Compilation of legislation by bishops. Q8(d). The fl owers were blue when it was warm and dry, and pink when it was wet. Q9 (c). Q10 (a) Harbonite, supposedly found in Africa, was ‘invented’ in a Tarzan story. (b) Arti fi cial stone made by Pulham terracotta (c. 1806-1945) used for grottos and watercourses. (c) Adamantium is from Marvel comics. (d) Bureaucratium (for all readers schooled in science) has a negative half-life so becomes more massive, dense and impenetrable over time. Aghast hieratic is an anagram of the writer Agatha Christie; Bristly jeep can be rearranged to make the name JB Priestly; Escort serf is an anagram of CS Forester and Feminal gin can be rearranged to make the author’s name Ian Fleming.

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On the grid There’s a chance this month for car enthusiasts and collectors to meet some of the best contemporary automotive artists at an exhibition at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon in Warwickshire.

Opening on April 4, it will feature paintings and sculptural pieces from artists including John Ketchell, Keith Woodcock, Emma Capener, Jonny Ambrose, Oliver Ray and Steve Goodwin.

There will be live art sessions taking place where the artists will be depicting pieces in the museum for visitors to see. Each artist works in a variety of media, including acrylics, oil, watercolour, pen and pastels.

Read Baron A secret cache of 229 letters and papers penned by some of the greatest figures of the last 500 years has gone on show at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire.

The remarkable find came about in 2024 following a routine cataloguing project at the Renaissance-style château. The letters, from an archive compiled by Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845-1934), range from missives from Elizabeth I to Mozart, as well as an example of Lord Nelson’s writing with his surviving left hand.

The baron was a tireless collector but how he acquired some of the letters is shrouded in mystery, perhaps from a specialist dealer, although others were part of his family’s correspondence. Signifi cant Signatures: Autograph letters from the Waddesdon Archive, is on from March 26 to November 2. Above Queen Elizabeth I to King Henri IV of France, undated (c.1589-1598) © Th e Waddesdon Archive at Windmill Hill

Above right Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) image Waddesdon © Hamilton Kerr Institute

Above The British Motor Museum’s Stephen Laing (left) and Historic Car Art owner Rupert Whyte at last year’s event

HIGHS AND LOEWES Te Loewe Foundation has announced the shortlist for its 2025 craft prize, selecting 30 artists from 18 countries after more than 4,600 worldwide submissions. Philip Eglin is one of two UK artists to make the fi nal, with his large ceramic jar inspired by 15th-century Italian Maiolica pharmacy jars and galvanised watering cans.

Many of the artists employ contemporary twists on ancient craft techniques. The winner will be announced on May 29 ahead of an exhibition of the finalists’ work at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid from May 30 to June 29.

Above Rosso, a ceramic jar by Philip Eglin has made the shortlist for the 2025 Loewe Foundation craft prize

MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION The National Gallery has chosen four UK venues to take part in this year’s Masterpiece Tour, giving the nation a chance to see a famous work by Monet.

Palace aide Visitors to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire can now use an app to guide them on personally-tailored tours.

Called ‘Archie’, after Archie Illingworth the palace’s chief guide from 1950 to 1972, the app includes details on how the library became a hospital in WWII as well as how the grounds were used to test Spitfires.

The palace’s, David Green, said: “The traditional audio guide gave visitors a description of what they saw before their eyes, with that description being the same for everyone. With ‘Archie’ every visitor can enjoy a unique experience.”

The Sainsbury Centre in Norwich; the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery; Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery and the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull will all show the Impressionist’s The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil which has only left the gallery once in the last 20 years.

The scheme offers four UK museums and galleries outside of London the opportunity to display three major works for three years.

Previously the tour had seen a Constable visit Jarrow in 2023 and a work by Turner go to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle in 2024.

Above Claude Monet (1840-1926) The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil, 1872, oil on canvas © The National Gallery, London

Above Blenheim Palace has launched ‘Archie’ a new interactive guide

ANTIQUE COLLECTING 9

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