Acquisition of the Year

The Galloway Hoard (8th–10th century)
National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh

The Galloway Hoard of more than 100 Viking-era artefacts, which was discovered in 2014 in Dumfries and Galloway where it had lain undisturbed since the 10th century, is one of the richest of its kind. Along with gold and silver jewellery and ingots, it includes a unique bird-shaped gold pin and a decorated silver-gilt vessel, which is the only complete lidded vessel of its type ever discovered in the British Isles, and possibly the largest to have been discovered worldwide.

A selection of objects from the Galloway hoard showing some of the diverse materials it is composed of (glass, niello, copper-ally, silver, gold). Buried early 10th century AD.

The Dresden Mars (before 1587), Giambologna
Dresden State Art Collections

One of very few Giambologna bronzes to have been firmly documented during the artist’s lifetime, The Dresden Mars was presented as a gift to Christian I, Elector of Saxony, in 1587. This outstanding cast of the work had been intended for Sotheby’s Treasures sale on 4 July, with an estimate of £3m–£5m, but a direct offer made by the Staatliche Kunstsammlung the day before the auction secured the work for the state of Dresden.

The Dresden Mars (before 1587), Giambologna. Dresden State Art Collections; photo: Rick Jenkins; courtesy Sotheby’s

Self-portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (c. 1615–17), Artemisia Gentileschi
National Gallery, London

This rare and recently identified self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the most important artists of the Italian baroque, is one of only three known easel paintings by the artist in the UK.

Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (c. 1615–17), Artemisia Gentileschi. © The National Gallery, London

African ceramics from the collection of Franz, Duke of Bavaria
Design Museum, Munich

With examples from societies throughout the African continent, dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Duke of Bavaria’s collection of African ceramics is of international significance. More than 1,300 of these works will be presented to the Design Museum; around 250 have been given as donations, while the rest are permanent loans.

Figure (19th–20th century), Togo/Ewe or Fon. Design Museum, Munich

The Dodge Collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art: more than 17,000 works
Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University

This collection of more than 17,000 works of Soviet nonconformist art, worth around $34 million, becomes the largest single gift in the museum’s history. It includes the work of over 1,000 artists, extending across the Soviet republics.

Post Art No. 5 (1974), Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid. Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University

More than 400 works by Roy Lichtenstein
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

The promised gift of more than 400 works by the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation will form the backbone of the Whitney’s Roy Lichtenstein Study Collection.

Modern Room (1990/91), Roy Lichtenstein. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

The Shortlists | Artist of the Year | Book of the Year | Digital Innovation of the Year | Exhibition of the Year | Museum Opening of the Year