Collection: Burton Constable Hall

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The collections at Burton Constable were initially brought together by the Constable family from the 16th century onwards and are of national importance as they reflect the economic and social progression and decline of a Catholic landowning family in East Yorkshire. Although most of the surviving objects were collected during the 18th and 19th century, the collections include a significant amount of material dating from earlier periods, in particular ancestral portraits and archive material relating to the management of the estates.

  Whilst the time period (pre-history – 20th century) and geographical range (worldwide) of the collection is extremely broad, the overriding priority is that only items that have previously belonged at Burton Constable will be collected.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2023

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Burton Constable is a large Tudor Jacobean country house, the home of the Constable family. In 1992 this grade I building passed to the Burton Constable Foundation (hereinafter called the Foundation) together with 300 acres of grade II* parkland and most of the contents when the Foundation was set up and endowed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Under the terms of the agreement, the fine and decorative art collections, books and manuscript material were given to Leeds City Council on the understanding that they remain in situ at Burton Constable – or at Beverley Record Office in the case of the archive. The exceptional collections of scientific instruments, numismatic, geological, conchological and natural history specimens assembled by William Constable (1721-91) remained the property of the Foundation. Descendants of the Chichester Constable family still live in one wing of the mansion and have retained a number of items from the historic collection.

  The collections at Burton Constable are of outstanding importance, since they include treasures brought back from successive Grand Tours, furnishings made by local tradesmen and magnificent objects commissioned from leading London firms. Many splendid English and continental masterpieces were acquired during the 19th century, adding another layer of history to the many periods displayed throughout the Hall.

  Cabinet of Curiosity and Scientific Collections (18th Century)

  The collection of a remarkable cabinet of curiosities including scientific instruments was brought together in the 18th century by William Constable (1721-91). Of national and international importance, the collection is the most significant and intact 18th century Cabinet of Curiosities to survive in any English country house. The collection covers a broad range of materials including scientific instruments, numismatics, archaeology, geological, conchological and natural history specimens. It is accompanied by a range of related scientific books, manuscripts and archive materials including vouchers recording purchases and correspondence around William Constable’s scientific investigations.

  Historic Furniture and Interiors

  The majority of the surviving interiors and furniture date to the 18th century when William Constable embarked on an ambitious scheme to re-fashion his house in the tastes of the day. William employed some of the most notable architects and designers of the day to furnish him with designs. Within the furniture collections are internationally recognised craftsmen, most notably both Elder and Younger Chippendale; a collection of Chippendale seat furniture supplied for the Great Drawing Room is the largest set to survive in-tact in its original context. In addition to the wider-known craftsmen, the collections also include a significant amount of furniture produced by regional craftsmen. In the 19th century local craftsmen and decorators were commissioned to both supply new furnishings and make alterations to the surviving 18th century collections. During the 19th century it became common for the family themselves to play a part in designing pieces of furniture, with some sketches still surviving in the Hall’s print room.

  Fine and Decorative Art Collections

  The most significant fine and decorative art collections date to the 18th century and include Grand Tour acquisitions. As with many of Burton Constable’s collections these are of national importance due to their rare survival intact in their original setting, including a rare and substantial collection sulphur casts of the engraved gem collection belonging to the Farnese family of Florence, Italy. Following the 1821 passing of the estate to the Clifford family of Tixall in Staffordshire the family relocated to Burton Constable, bringing with them ancestral paintings and decorative art collections previously belonging to Tixall Hall (demolished late 19th century).

  Books, Manuscripts, Prints and Archive Material

  The collection of historic books and manuscripts were brought together in the early 18th century by Cuthbert (Tunstall) Constable and added to by his son William Constable, with the Clifford Constable and Chichester Constable adding a smaller number of volumes in the 19th and 20th Centuries. While further research is required the collection is known to hold rare editions of books not listed in the any other library collection. A huge amount of archive material survives, providing a wealth of academic research potential relating to the management of the estates, family correspondence and vouchers giving a glimpse of the running of an English country house estate. Accompanying the archive material is a substantial collection of prints, architectural drawings and designs; these include drawings by Robert Adam, Thomas Chippendale, Capability Brown, Timothy Lightoler and other prestigious 18th century architects.

  Country House Paraphernalia and Other Collections

  In addition to the above, the collections at Burton Constable include the remarkable survival of country house paraphernalia such as servant quarters interiors and equipment. These provide insight into how large stately-home mansions were managed during the 18th and 19th centuries.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date:

  Licence: CC BY-NC