Hidden Treasures

Newly discovered bas-reliefs, many after Bertel Thorvaldsen, some commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte. Hidden in plain sight for 200 years.

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Hidden Treasures The Bas-Reliefs on the Kemp Town Estate illustrates, for the very first time, the 40 plaster bas reliefs, hitherto unidentified and unrecorded, which were thought to have been installed by Thomas Cubitt in the houses he built on the Estate between 1823 - 1850.

20 of these sculptures were designed by world famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1834), the 'Master of the Bas Relief ' , forming an important hitherto unknown Collection of his work in this country. Situated in 20 different houses, some with multiple freeholders, the Collection is thus owned by a large number of people most of whom have never met each other and have no idea of the importance of what is on their walls !

Identical examples in plaster and marble originally commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, Prince Albert and the Duke of Devonshire can be found at both Osborne House and Chatsworth and indeed in many large houses and museums in this and other countries. Two marble originals, commissioned by Thomas Read Kemp's brother-in-law, Alexander Baring, were sold at Sotheby's in June 2019 for GBP312,500.

Hidden Treasures is profusely illustrated with photographs accompanied by the known provenance of each work. Maps and charts show clearly in which houses the bas reliefs are installed.