Collection
Beckford’s Tower is home to a collection of paintings, furniture and objects from William Beckford’s collection. The new displays showcase pieces from Beckford’s varied collections, including: furniture, such as an oak coffer cabinet and stand commissioned by Beckford for the tower; design objects, including over 30 silver teaspoons bearing the Beckford family crest and making a material link between the source of Beckford’s wealth – sugar plantations – and his prolific collecting habits; and fine art, such as a Willes Maddox painting commissioned by Beckford’s daughter after his death, depicting a combination of his rare historic pieces and new designs made by skilled craftspeople.
A sample of the objects in our collection can be viewed below.
Archives
The Beckford’s Tower library and archive is available to researchers by appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the collection and archives include
Where did the Tower and Museum collection come from?
In 1972 retired Doctors Elizabeth and Leslie Hilliard purchased the Tower as an empty building and opened it to the public at weekends. They began to collect objects, books and pictures related to the Tower and William Beckford which became the start of the current museum collection. We have since added to the collection, acquiring new items through purchase, gifts and bequests.
Were any of the items which are currently held in the museum’s collection initially purchased using profits from the transatlantic slave trade?
Yes – William Beckford purchased his vast collection using money he gained through the ownership and exploitation of enslaved people. Following his death in 1844 the collection was split up and scattered across the world. The Beckford Tower Trust (part of Bath Preservation Trust) has furniture, objects and books from Beckford’s original collection collected over a period of 50 years through a combination of legacy gifts, and purchasing in accordance with our Collections Development Policy. Our purpose with these items is to demonstrate what Beckford’s immense wealth enabled, and to inform visitors about the source of that wealth.
Do your acquisitions provide financial reward to legacy beneficiaries of the transatlantic slave trade?
No – this is against our Collections Development Policy. We are very careful to examine the origin of each item and ensure that our charitable funding is not supporting descendants of historic chattel slave owners.
Where else can I learn more about William Beckford?
For online access to several works relating to Beckford and Fonthill Abbey, visit the Beckfordiana website.
The largest collection of archives relating to Beckford can be found in Oxford at the Bodleian Library.