A jewel-box collection in a Georgian building
At the heart of this museum in historic Bath is the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793-1874), fifth baronet of Menstrie. William seemed destined for a naval career but, following the death of his elder brother Francis, he inherited the family title and a modest fortune. He left the navy and embarked on an 18-month Grand Tour of Europe, visiting Italy, the Alps and the Netherlands. This sparked a life-long interest in art and his enthusiasm for collecting. He particularly loved bronze sculptures, silver, porcelain and Dutch landscape. The museum, which was founded in 1882 to honor William’s memory, has a wide-ranging collection that spans from the Renaissance to the 19th century. It is housed in a Grade I-listed building that was formerly a grand Georgian hotel.
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