DCMS defers export licence until December, giving institutions time to raise the capital for the Renaissance bronze.
A rare Renaissance bronze by one of the leading sculptors at the court of Mantua has been placed under a temporary export bar in the hope it can be saved for the nation.
A temporary export bar has been placed on Seated Nymph, a bronze statuette by Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi, known as Antico, valued at £4.6 million.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport hopes that a UK gallery or institution will step forward to acquire the work, which dates from around 1503 and was cast over 500 years ago. It said the sculpture features mercury-gilded hair and drapery, with the exceptional detail and finish for which Antico became renowned.
The decision to defer an export licence follows advice from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.
Seated Nymph stands just under 20cm tall and was likely designed to be held in the hand and turned to be fully appreciated. The tiara on the figure’s head suggests she may represent a goddess, such as Venus. The sculpture has strong British connections, having been rediscovered in the sculpture collection at Woburn Abbey, part of the Bedford collection.
The Reviewing Committee said that the sculpture met the second and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding aesthetic importance and its outstanding significance to the study of the history of sculpture collecting in the UK, and within the context of the Bedford collection specifically, and the interrelationship between Antico models.
Arts Minister, Ruth Mackenzie said the statuette was ‘small but mighty”.
“The detail and refinement mark it out as an exceptional piece. “I very much hope this export bar can help keep this exquisite statue in the country where the public can also enjoy its beauty.
Stuart Lochhead, RCEWA committee member, added: “The Seated Nymph is one of his most beautiful creations, embellished with golden hair and drapery, as well as inlaid silver eyes. It was rediscovered in the sculpture collection at Woburn Abbey. The export of this exquisite sculpture from the UK would be a great loss, depriving the public of the work of an exceptionally rare and hugely admired sculptor.”
The decision on the export licence application will be deferred until 17 December 2026. At the end of the initial deferral period, there will be a 15-business-day consideration window for any formal offer to purchase the sculpture at the recommended price of £4,600,000 (plus VAT of £166,666.67). A second deferral period of five months will follow if an Option Agreement is signed.
