Export of Objects of Cultural Interest 2020-21

This report highlights some of the fascinating and diverse items that have been referred to the Committee, saved for collections throughout the UK.

Following the Committee’s recommendation, the Secretary of State arranged for a diverse and varied range of the nation’s treasures to receive temporary export deferrals. Despite a challenging period for fundraising due to the Covid-19 pandemic, items including a mosaic, a sculpture and a set of drawings symbolic of the UK’s history and national identity were successfully purchased by UK museums. 

Examples detailed in this report include:

• A Romano-British mosaic pavement fragment of exceptional quality and scale, removed from the Roman villa at Dewlish in Dorset, and attributed to the Durnovarian School, now purchased by Dorset County Museum. This purchase means it now joins two other sections from the same mosaic which are also housed by the museum.
• A set of ten ink and watercolour drawings depicting the progress and defeat of the Spanish Armada, thought to date from circa 1589, is a further noteworthy acquisition. The rare and important drawings were subsequently purchased by the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth.