The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Learn About the New British Galleries
As part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s recent 150 anniversary, the British Galleries were redesigned—featuring more than 10,000 square feet devoted to British decorative arts, design, and sculpture created between 1500-1900. The 10 galleries showcase 700 works of art including a conserved 17th-century staircase from Cassiobury House (a now lost manor house) that matches one at Sudbury, a National Trust property. Three magnificent English country house interiors from Kirtlington Park, Croome Court, and Lansdowne House have been transformed by painstaking restoration and new lighting and remain at the heart of the galleries.
The visual exuberance of the 18th century is explored through 100 English teapots displayed in two 12-foot-tall semi-circular cases, as well as a huge “retail case” containing enameled candlesticks, silver toys, nécessaires, and gold boxes. The new gallery installation examines the intersection of British creativity and entrepreneurialism, and also illuminates the intense commercial drive that arose among British artists, manufacturers, and retailers over the course of 400 years.
While The Met closed just 10 days after the re-opening due to COVID-19, Dr. Wolf Burchard, Associate Curator in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Department and lead curator of new British Galleries will speak to Royal Oak members about the new galleries. He will illustrate the magnificent interiors and highlight some of the new acquisitions and treasures of British design and craftsmanship.
