Researching Art, Sculpture, Design and Print using the British Empire & Commonwealth Collection

By Ellie Pridgeon, BECC Senior Archivist

I have learnt much about British Empire & Commonwealth Collection (BECC) and its diverse and fascinating contents since joining as Senior Archivist in September 2023. Having a background History of Art means that BECC’s mixed collections – the archives, digital records, objects, and artworks – are all of great personal interest to me. Beyond the painting collection, which provides a portrait of people and their ways of life across the world, there are innumerable documents, photographs and films which can be used for researching art, design, sculpture, and printing across the globe.  

Key Resources for Researching Art, Sculpture and Design

The extensive BECC photographic collections are an essential tool for researchers investigating art, design, printing, and sculpture. Dating from the 1860s to the 1970s, the photographic material includes items produced and collected by commercial photographers, and photographs taken by amateurs for use within families – for instance family photograph albums intended to be viewed privately at home. These collections record families, local scenes, and activities at a time when many people were using cameras for the first time.  

Marriot Collection

Statue of Justice, Hong Kong Law Courts. BECC. 1908. Ref: 1998/028/2/8.

An important archive for visual arts researchers is the Marriott Collection. The collection consists of photographs and loose prints taken and collected by Dr Marriott, a doctor working at the Peak Hospital in Hong Kong. Dating from c.1902 to c.1923, the photographs record landscapes, buildings, sculpture, street scenes, local people, customs, the hospital in Hong Kong, and Marriot’s excursions further afield to mainland China, South Korea, and Japan. Many photographs are accompanied by handwritten notes which provide context to the archive and are invaluable for researchers.  

An example is the 1908 photograph of Chinese artist, mason and carver Lau Kiu’s ‘Statue of Justice’, positioned outside the Hong Kong law courts. According to the notes, the sculpture was carved from one stone, copied from a European cast, measures 8 feet 8 inches, and has a square base. 

Morey Collection

Mould Maker, Hong Kong, BECC. 1963. Ref: 2005/010/1/11/19.

BECC photographic collections also provide evidence of how artworks and objects were produced around the world. A notable example is the Morey Collection, which dates from 1920-1969, and consists of photograph albums and loose prints taken and collected by talented photographers Geoffrey and Yvonne Morey. Geoffrey Morey was an ear, nose and throat surgeon at Lincoln County Hospital, and the Moreys were commissioned by international companies, organisations and tourist offices to film and photograph their overseas sites. The collection documents Australia, the Pacific, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, and features scenery, wildlife, places, local people, and customs.  

An example is the black and white photograph depicting a Chinese mould maker sitting at a street stall carving seals and cake moulds from wood. Rows of moulds are strung up on the wall behind.  

Veevers Collection

Peshawar Street Scene. 1930s. BECC. 2018/007/1/1

BECC also holds photographic materials and prints which are essential for understanding complex design and printing processes. A noteable example is the Veevers Collection, which dates from 1903 to the 1930s. Photographer and poster artist Victor Veevers worked for the Indian State Railways, and used photographs to create posters. The artist traced around figures and buildings visible in many photographs, and some display pencil shading or pencilled grid marks. Other photographs have drawing pin holes in the corners, which suggests they were hung up whilst Veevers worked on producing his posters. Some even contain traces of paint, which indicates Veevers handling the images whilst painting posters. 

A notable example from the Veevers collection is the ‘Peshawar Street Scene’ print, which depicts buildings and people rendered in a stylised manner and outlined in black ink. Hanging signs advertising Kirpa Ram Jagat Ram Cloth merchants and the Punjab National Bank are visible. The caption, added in black ink, reads: The ‘Paris’ of the… [the remaining inscription is torn off].

You can find out more about the BECC collections by searching our online catalogue.

Please contact us if you would like to view any BECC material.