John George Joicey

John George Joicey loaned many ceramic objects, inlaid guns and furniture to the V&A which were later bequeathed by him to the Museum.

Little is known of John George Joicey’s life. He was born in 1863, the youngest son of James Joicey, of Tanfield, Durham, and spent much of his time abroad. When he was in London, he stayed at the Junior Carlton Club, Pall Mall. In 1907 Joicey contacted the Director about depositing on loan a portion of his collection of ceramics, which it was also his intention to bequeath to the Museum. The items were duly exhibited in the Loan Court in 1909. Joicey’s collection comprised Sevres porcelain, English and rare foreign china, gold enamel watches and snuffboxes, inlaid guns and furniture.

Joicey died on 8 July 1919, aged 56. The objects already on deposit at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the London Museum, and the Laing Art Gallery became their absolute property; among the residue of object stored at the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit, the Museum was entitled to 'all those of foreign origin'.

Information in the V&A Archive

MA/1/J617: Nominal file – J. G. Joicey (bequest)

MA/31/10: Register of loans in

MA/49/2/97-98: Press cuttings

Selected printed works:

‘Mr J.G. Joicey collection of Sevres porcelain.’ The Connoisseur, 11, no. 43/1 (1905). NAL pressmark: PP.1.A

‘Treasures For London Museums; The Joicey Bequests.’ The Times. 7 August 1919, p. 4

To locate material in the National Art Library, please search the Library Catalogue.