Full Description
This book emphasises Lady Charlotte Schreiber (1812-1895) — also known as Lady Charlotte Guest, née Bertie — as one of the most significant women in the history of collecting. An extraordinary collector, historian and philanthropist, Charlotte subverted gendered norms and challenged Victorian conventions. This new study establishes Charlotte's contribution to ceramic history and cultural education, and demonstrates her influential role in transnational artistic networks.
Charting Charlotte's eventful life, McCaffrey-Howarth focuses on her identity as a renowned connoisseur, whose donation of thousands of objects to the Victoria & Albert Museum and the British Museum marked a pioneering move for a female benefactor. Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Extraordinary Art Collector presents unique insight into the social and cultural world of Victorian England and the role of women within this.
Contents
Acknowledgements; List of Illustrations; Introduction: China-Hunting with Charlotte; Chapter One: 'A man's education'; Chapter Two: A Welsh Heiress; Chapter Three: Becoming a Collector; Chapter Four: 'Our Ceramic Chasse'; Chapter Five: English Ceramic Art; Chapter Six: Collecting World History; Chapter Seven: 'My adieux to the collection'; Conclusion: 'Old life reminiscences'; Bibliography
