Collection: Astley Hall

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Cornucopia)

  Archaeology Collection

  A small collection of mainly Bronze Age urns, lithics and pottery sherds excavated from a burial site close to Astley Hall.

  Subjects

  Archaeology

  Agriculture Collection

  Includes a collection of horse brasses.

  Subjects

  Agriculture

  Medals Collection

  Military medals (mostly W.W.I).

  Subjects

  Medals

  Arms and Armour Collection

  Items relating mainly to the 1914-1918 War including cap badges, Books of Remembrance, several W.W.I uniforms and an MP’s helmet.

  Subjects

  Arms and Armour

  Biology Collection

  There is a small group of animal specimens (used in the kitchen display), a small herbarium of 135 specimens and a single display frame of mounted butterflies.

  Subjects

  Biology

  Oral History Collection

  Oral history recordings made as part of a local history community project in the 1980s.

  Subjects

  Oral history

  Archives Collection

  Relatively small archive collection of material connected to the Hall, to Chorley TSB and to Chorley Rural District Council. In addition there is a small support library of books and assorted notes, photographs and documents relating to a community history project (see also oral history).

  Subjects

  Archives

  Social History Collection

  The social history collection is generally small but covers a wide range of subjects and includes items such as the first Rugby League Cup and the contents of a clog maker’s workshop. There are also some architectural items salvaged from local buildings.

  Subjects

  Social History

  Fine Art Collection

  The majority of the fine art collection was acquired as part of the Reginald Tatton Bequest in 1922 and the main part comprises a general collection of over 100 works from a variety of artists and subject matters, mainly 19th-20th century and not of direct local connection. The works associated specifically with Astley Hall include portraits of the Charnock, Brooke, Townley Parker and Tatton families. Local works also include a group of 87 topographical and architectural prints of Lancashire Halls and views. There are two groups of engravings, 70 works of famous 16th and 17th century personalities and also a collection of over 40 landscapes, mainly by Turner. Overall, the art collection includes pre-1700 works in addition to art from the 18th-20th century. ‘Moonlight Voyage’ by Paul Nash and ‘Devastation’ by Graham Sutherland are two of the more important works in the collection, featured as part of the small group of Second World War paintings.

  Subjects

  Fine Art

  Costume and Textile Collection

  The Textile Collection features civic clothing (mayoral robes) and military items (4 brass band uniforms). It mostly features ladies costume, including items such as a wedding dress c. 1860 and mainly late-19th and early 20th century silk day dresses, bodices and skirts. The textile collection includes 4 late-17th century tapestry panels.

  Subjects

  Costume and Textile

  Decorative and applied Art Collection

  Comprises a large collection of furniture of the 17th-19th centuries, mainly acquired as part of the R A Tatton Bequest of house and contents in 1922 and including the Cromwell Bed and Shovelboard table. There is a 130-piece glassware collection, predominantly 17th-19th century. Most notable of the decorative art is the Leeds Pottery Creamware Collection which includes plain, painted, printed and other decorated Creamware, totalling over 250 pieces and donated in 1934 by Robert Grey Tatton. There is also a small collection of ceramic commemorative ware and other items such as silverware, ivory ornaments and pewter mugs.

  Subjects

  Decorative and Applied Arts

  Source: Cornucopia

  Date: Not known, but before 2015

  Licence: CC BY-NC