Sir Richard Wallace’s Cabinet of Treasures
Exploring Sir Richard Wallace's exquisite collection of rare and beautiful objects.
Sir Richard Wallace (1818–1890), one of the founders of the Wallace Collection, had a deep fascination with intricate, small-scale artworks made from luxurious materials.
Many of these pieces, spanning the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, were displayed in his private rooms at Hertford House, particularly in what is now the 16th-Century Gallery.
Mortar (1550/1580) by UnknownThe Wallace Collection
Wallace believed such objects should be experienced up close, fostering a personal, almost intimate connection with the viewer.
Wallace found inspiration in the Renaissance concept of Kunstkammer, or cabinets of curiosities. These encyclopedic collections of art, natural wonders, and scientific instruments reflected wealth and a wide-ranging curiosity.
Smoky Quartz Cup (1607/1611) by Giovanni Ambrogio MiseroniThe Wallace Collection
Traditional Kunstkammer featured everything from gold vessels, clocks, and pearls to coral, rock crystal, and even taxidermy. They were designed to showcase both the marvels of nature and the achievements of human craftsmanship.
View into the Berliner Kunstkammer (1696) by Samuel BlesendorfAltes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
By the 19th century, collectors like Wallace revived the Kunstkammer tradition, focusing more on princely artworks than on natural specimens or science.
Statuette - Figure of a Warrior (1600) by UnknownThe Wallace Collection
His approach is evident not only in how he displayed these treasures but also in the artworks themselves, like a smoky quartz cup by Miseroni, or a silver warrior figure made partly from pearls. Each object reflects a fascination with rarity, beauty, and craftsmanship.
An ostrich (17th Century) by Elias ZorerThe Wallace Collection
Wallace's collection blends connoisseurship with curiosity. It offers a glimpse into a world where art, history, and human imagination meet. Learn more about what you find in a Kuntstammer here.
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