Dr Robert Forrer
Tile, earthenware with line-impressed decoration, German, about 1250-1275, formerly in the collection of Robert Forrer
Robert Forrer (1866-1947) corresponded frequently with the Victoria and Albert Museum between 1893 and 1920, offering for sale a wide variety of medieval and Renaissance artefacts.
A Swiss archaeologist, antiquarian and collector based in Strasburg, Germany, Robert Forrer offered mostly European objects, including textiles, jewellery, medallions, books, tiles, clocks, furniture, ironwork and miscellaneous items. Many of these items, although not all, were subsequently purchased by the Museum. In 1899 he offered 1200 specimens of early textiles, which the Museum purchased for £700. In his report on the collection, the Museum’s art referee, J.H. Pollen, remarked that when coupled with the Bock Collection (already owned by Museum), 'this series of examples would completely furnish the Victoria and Albert Museum as a school of design in this beautiful class of sumptuary art', an opinion endorsed by another art referee, Walter Crane.
Information in the V&A Archive
MA/1/F965/1-4: Nominal file – Dr R. Forrer
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
MoreShop online
40 Baddies (Giclée print)
40 Baddies by Robert M Ball Giclée print on 230gsm matt art archival paper Print size A2, 420 x 594 mm Robert M Ball is one part Creative Director at…
Buy nowEvent - Osterley House
Mon 15 July 2013 13:00
As one of the last remaining estates in London, Osterley House is a wonderful example of neoclassical architecture.
Book online
