Sculpture by Henri de Triqueti, now the subject of a £280,00 + VAT export bar.
The sculpture is a unique double portrait and is of particular value because the location of so many of Triqueti’s works are unknown. On its rosewood and marble plinth, the artwork stands nearly two metres tall, with the portrait carved in marble.
Henri de Triqueti (1803-74) was an influential Victorian sculptor, who appears to have been inspired by Florentine and Renaissance portrait sculpture. It is hoped that the acquisition of the work by a UK institution may allow further study, unlocking more insights into the artist’s methods and practices. Triqueti’s work also presents an enticing opportunity for the further study of Victorian women.
The sculpture’s focus are young sisters, Florence and Alice Campbell. It was commissioned by the girls’ father, Robert Tertius Campbell, an Australian businessman who is credited with introducing innovative agricultural techniques to his Oxfordshire estate, Buscot Park.
Notorious
Florence Campbell (1845-1878), also known as Florence Ricardo and Florence Bravo through her two marriages, later found notoriety herself, firstly due to an affair with a doctor 37 years her senior and then being implicated in the unexplained death of her second husband in 1876 due to antimony poisoning.
The latter episode caused a media sensation at the time and was dramatised by the BBC in 1975 as a three-part serial The Poisoning of Charles Bravo. It also inspired a number of novels and was referenced by Agatha Christie in some of her stories.
At the time, a Coroner's jury ruled out suicide and "death by misadventure" and found that Charles had been "wilfully murdered by the administration of tartar emetic" by an unknown person or persons.
The public shame destroyed Florence. She changed her name to Florence Turner and moved to Southsea, Hampshire, where she drank herself to death aged just 33.
'Incredible condition'
The sculpture had been in the Bernard Kelly collection since 1984 until it was sold at Lyon & Turnbull in January this year. Against an estimate of £20,000-£0,000, it took £94,000 hammer (or £117,700 with buyer’s premium).
Culture Minister, Baroness Twycross said: "We’re fortunate that this striking sculpture has survived in such excellent condition. This level of marblework demonstrates an incredible degree of craftsmanship and presents a beautiful depiction of these young girls.
"I hope that we can find a UK buyer so that it can continue to delight visitors and provide opportunities for future generations to learn more about the story behind this piece and its sculptor."
A close-up view of the sculpture showing the two young girls.
The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).
Stuart Lochhead, a member of the reviewing committee, added: "Baron Triqueti navigated various worlds, enjoying the patronage of King Louis-Philippe of France and Queen Victoria. He moved in high society and exhibited at the Paris Salon and in London. Deeply versed in Renaissance masters, his style would shape a generation of sculptors in Britain.
"However, this rare and beautiful double-portrait relief demonstrates how much remains to be uncovered about this talented artist’s practice and patronage networks. Much can be gleaned also from the relief’s commission by Robert Tertius Campbell, an Australian tycoon who settled in England and introduced innovative agricultural methods. The loss of such an exceptional and unusual portrait from the UK would be most unfortunate."
Aesthetic importance
The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the relief met the second and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding aesthetic importance and its outstanding significance to the study of Triqueti’s sources, work practices, patronage networks, and the commissioning of medallion portraits by English families. It was also of outstanding significance to the study of the role of Victorian women and to development of estate management ideas.
The decision on the export licence application for the relief will be deferred for a period ending on 13 February 2026 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the relief at the recommended price of £280,000 (plus VAT).
The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.
