Riesco collection sale given go-ahead by Croydon Council

Plans to auction off the 24 most valuable items in Croydon Council's Riesco collection won approval at a Corporate Services Committee meeting last night.

The council says the sell-off, which has remained the subject of angry debate since the proposals were revealed two months ago, will free up vital funds to refurbish Fairfield Halls. 

But critics have denounced the break-up of the collection, bought by the council upon collector Raymond Riesco's death in 1964, includes ninth-century tomb models and valuable Ming china, as "cultural vandalism". 

The council initially said Mr Riesco had bequeathed the collection to the borough, but later discovered it had actually bought the artwork along with his land in Addington for £83,000.

Seven major sector organisations, including Arts Council England and the British Museum, have condemned plans to sell the 24 items.  

Arts Council England said it would now review the accredited status of Croydon's museum service, while Heritage Lottery Fund warned it could reclaim a £934,000 grant in protest - although the council insists it would have no legal right to do so.

Labour councillor Stuart Collins last night said: "We are talking about 24 mini-masterpieces.

"These are obviously the best pieces in the collection because they are the most highly valued.

"Can you imagine if, after Turner had left all his artwork to the country, we had just got rid of it?

"This decision is madness."

A porcelain pilgrim bottle from the Xuande period (left, 1426-35) and a porcelain vase from the Kangxi period (1662-1722) could be sold

His colleague, Simon Hall, expressed concern the sale's proceeds would not be ringfenced for spending on culture. 

But Paul Greenhalgh, the council's executive director for children, families and learning, assured the committee the money would be invested in arts in the borough and the "bigger prize" of Fairfield Halls.  

He said: "We believe this sale will put us in a position to receive a real long-term benefit."

He added the Museum of Croydon could no longer afford the insurance costs of displaying the pieces. 

Labour councillors said they were taking legal advice about the plans, which they insisted should have been marked as a key decision due to the amount of income that would be generated by the sale and the impact on the borough. 

Key decisions receive more scrutiny from councillors. 

Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, speaking after the meeting, said: "It means that the sell-off of even a piece of land or the town hall does not have to be a key legal decision. It is unheard of."

Scott Furlong, director of the acquisitions, exports, loans and collections unit at Arts Council England (ACE), said he was dismayed by the council's decision to proceed with the sale.

ACE had warned the council against the sell-off and will now reassess the accredited status of the council's museum service.

He said:  “We are very disappointed to hear that Croydon Council is going ahead with plans to sell items from the Riesco collection, which were acquired for future generations of people in Croydon and beyond to enjoy.

"It is of great importance that the public retain trust in museums to look after the collections held in their name. We are concerned that this trust may be undermined if disposals from public collections are seen to be driven by financial considerations.

"As a result of this decision, we will be assessing Croydon Council’s accreditation status in the coming months."

An ACE panel will review the council's status in September.

David Anderson, president of the Museums Association, said: “Croydon’s decision to sell valuable Chinese ceramics threatens not just its own reputation but that of the museum sector as a whole."

Croydon Council initially said the collection had been beqeauthed to the borough by Mr Riesco, but later discovered it had actually bought it.

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