Only known Surviving Works of Flemish Artist De Vély at Risk of leaving the UK

The Fairhaven Panels, a remarkable set of four highly decorated panels and the only known publicly available works by the artist De Vély, are at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found.

The panels, created in the 17th century, depict four different personifications or gods: Mars, Virtu Invincible, Minerva, and Magnificence, focusing on victory in war and the beauty of peace.

Set in their original gilded metal cases, each panel features a skilful combination of glass, pearls, shells, stones, enamel and gilt metal. These are materials that do not fade over time, so their vivid colours remain particularly striking to modern audiences. The panels are now valued at over £1.6 million.

These works could provide new insight into this artist and the unique sculptural technique he used to craft them, as they are a rarity in European art and embrace the baroque taste for extravagance. The elaborate technique that De Vély employed would have been considerably time-consuming and is reflected in the nearly 20 years they took to complete.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the panels met the second and third Waverley criteria for their outstanding aesthetic importance and their outstanding significance to the study of collecting. They also highlighted its importance for further study into 17th-century works of art employing pearl, precious and semi-precious stones and glass granules and the light they shed on De Vély, an artist about whom very little is known.

The decision on the export licence application for the panels will be deferred for a period ending on 17th March 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the panels at the recommended price of £1,620,000 (plus VAT of £54,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for four months.

The Fairhaven Panels: A Polyptych with Mars, Virtu Invincibile, Minerva and Magnificence By De Vély (fl. circa 1685-1700),  French Signed and dated: De vély. / inuenit, / et fecit, and: incepit / Anno 1685 / et Compleuit / Anno 1702[?]; the shield inscribed: NEC SORTE NEC FATO. Hardstone including lapis lazuli, hessonite garnet, carnelian and sardonyx,  seed pearls,  shell, mother of pearl, coloured  glass granules, semi-precious and precious stones, and partially enamelled and gilt metal, on a wax and wood core, each mounted within gilt bronze cases. The whole is framed within a later mirrored and glazed gilt wood frame Flanking  panels: 48 x 26cm; central panels: 48 x 23.5cm; frame: 66 x 127cm