The Strawberry Hill Collection Trust (SHCT) was formed in 2009, following the restoration of the historic house and garden.

Our mission is to bring back works of fine and decorative art that were collected by the owners of Strawberry Hill, especially those that were dispersed in the Great Sale of 1842. So far we have returned several items from Horace Walpole’s internationally important collection, including Walpole’s writing box.

To acquire these lost treasures, hundreds of which remain in private hands, it is often necessary to contribute a portion of the purchase fee ourselves (known as ‘match funding’) to secure financial aid from charitable arts and heritage funders.

We urgently seek donations to our new SHCT Acquisitions Fund, which will assist us in building and developing our unique collection as works become available to purchase.

To arrange monetary and artefact donations, please contact the Curator, Silvia Davoli at silvia.davoli@strawberryhillhouse.org.uk


Portrait of Horace Walpole as a Child (1727-1728)
William Hogarth
Commissioned by Sir Robert Walpole.
Acquired in 2022 with the support of the Acceptance in Lieu
scheme and grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund
and the Art Fund, as well as funds raised through a public appeal.

Recent Acquisitions


Ivory Tankard (1739)
17th Century German ivory barrel
Mounted in silver for Sir Robert Walpole.
Kept at Strawberry Hill from 1793 to 1842.
Accepted in lieu of inheritance tax in 2022 by
HM Government and allocated to Strawberry Hill.

Coconut Cup (1791-1792)
Pair of coconuts carved and mounted in silver-gilt.
Kept at Strawberry Hill from 1793 to 1842.
Acquired as a pair in 2024, with the support of
the Art Fund and the ACE/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.

Goldfish Bowl (c.1730)
Chinese porcelain
Kept at Strawberry Hill from the 1760s to 1842.
Accepted in lieu of inheritance tax in 2022 by
HM Government and allocated to Strawberry Hill.

Portrait of Catherine de’ Medici with her Children (1561)
Workshop of François Clouet
Kept at Strawberry Hill from 1774 to 1842.
Accepted in lieu of inheritance tax in 2020 by
HM Government and allocated to Strawberry Hill.

 

Trustees: John Chu, Edward Clive, Alice Minter, Jenny Saunt, Sophie Schneideman, Jane Stancliffe, Nino Strachey (Chair), Nevil Tomlinson, Anthony Willenbruch.

SHCT works closely with the Strawberry Hill Trust to operate Strawberry Hill House & Garden as an accredited museum dedicated to the restoration, exhibition and preservation of the house’s cultural heritage.

Company Number: 06851597
Registered Charity no.1143788
Recognised by HMRC for Gift Aid