25

Violent delights: An enslaver's collection

Simply ornate objects? An enslaver we choose not to name drew his fortune out of forced labour and used this wealth to build his collection. Countless backs were broken, but the violence behind these objects remains invisible if we choose to memorialise this enslaver who saw human beings as assets.

Instead, we want to remember the hundreds of women, men and children who were forced to labour on his sugar plantations in Jamaica and suffered for the sake of his ‘taste’.

Written by: V&A East Youth Collective Community with researcher Dr Hannah Young
Published: May 2025

Collecting Stories

Museum Number
2291&A-1855
Title/Description
Statuette
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Italy
Date
ca. 1600
Materials/Techniques
Gilt bronze, Gilding
Object information
Museum Number
2160-1855
Title/Description
Cup
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
China
Date
circa 1850
Materials/Techniques
Glass
Object information
Museum Number
2176-1855
Title/Description
Mortar and pestle
Materials/Techniques
Copper alloy, Casting
Object information
Museum Number
1891A-1855
Title/Description
Bottle
Location
India
Date
ca. 1800
Object information
Museum Number
1801-1855
Title/Description
Bottle
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Deruta
Date
ca. 1540
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Tin glaze, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
2376-1855
Title/Description
Monstrance clock
Artist/Maker
Wolf, J.
Location
Austria
Date
1600-1625
Materials/Techniques
Brass, Rock crystal, Silver, Engraving, Gilding
Object information
Museum Number
2077-1855
Title/Description
Pyx
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Germany
Date
1400-1500
Materials/Techniques
Copper, Engraving, Gilding, Casting, Punching
Object information
Museum Number
2118:1, 2-1855
Title/Description
Cup and cover
Artist/Maker
I A
Location
Switzerland
Date
after 1571
Materials/Techniques
Coconut, Silver, Enamel, Parcel gilt, Enameled
Object information
Museum Number
1749-1855
Title/Description
Dish
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Venice
Date
1570-80
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Tin glaze, Glazing
Object information
Museum Number
2396-1855
Title/Description
Bellows
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Italy
Date
1600-1700
Materials/Techniques
Walnut, Carving
Object information
Museum Number
2186-1855
Title/Description
Necklace
Materials/Techniques
Gilt metal, Enamel, Cloisonne
Object information
Museum Number
2161-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Germany
Date
ca. 1830 - ca. 1850
Materials/Techniques
Ivory
Object information
Museum Number
2178-1855
Title/Description
Flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Italy
Date
1530-1550
Materials/Techniques
Leather, Glass, Sewing, Stippling
Object information
Museum Number
2199-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask with hunting scenes
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Germany
Date
ca. 1650 - ca. 1700
Materials/Techniques
Ivory, Carving
Object information
Museum Number
2219-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
England
Date
ca. 1660
Materials/Techniques
Boxwood, Metal, Carving, Moulding
Object information
Museum Number
2220-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask with hunting scenes
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Germany
Date
ca. 1650
Materials/Techniques
Ivory, Carved
Object information
Museum Number
2222-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Netherlands
Date
1500-1600
Materials/Techniques
Leather, Embossing
Object information
Museum Number
2235-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Europe
Date
16th century
Materials/Techniques
Brass, Leather, Cuir bouilli
Object information
Museum Number
2246B-1855
Title/Description
Powder flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
Poland
Date
ca. 1650
Materials/Techniques
Wood, Mother-of-pearl, Brass, Inlay(process), Engraving (incising)
Object information
Museum Number
1934-1855
Title/Description
Flask
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location
France
Date
ca. 1600
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glazing (coating)
Object information