UK institutions have until 29 April to secure funding for a rare 18th century terracotta dog sculpture created by Anne Damer, Britain’s pioneering female sculptor, after an export bar was imposed to prevent it leaving the country.
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest has set a recommended acquisition price of £635,000, plus VAT of £27,000 which eligible institutions can reclaim. Following the initial deadline, owners will have 15 business days to consider purchase offers before a second four-month deferral period begins after an Option Agreement is signed.
The 1795 work, known as Shock Dog, depicts a Maltese breed dog in life-sized sculptural form measuring 30 x 38 x 31 centimetres. The piece bears Damer’s signature in Greek characters on its integral base, translating to “Made by Anne Seymour Damer”.
Committee member Mark Hallett praised the sculpture’s pristine preservation and intricate artistry, stating it “conveys the presence of a beloved pet with extraordinary fidelity and liveliness” and remains “capable of generating wonder” through its uncanny realism.
Damer achieved prominence as an honorary Royal Academy exhibitor for over three decades, from 1784 to 1818, displaying more than 30 works. She gained recognition as Britain’s first specialist in sculpting domestic pets, contributing to an established British artistic tradition dating to the early 18th century of portraying beloved animals in paintings and sculpture.
The term “Shock Dog” referred to small, rough-coated breeds similar to Maltese dogs that were fashionable among 18th century British society. Such animal portraits represented a significant cultural phenomenon of the Georgian era.
Culture Minister Baroness Twycross described Damer as “the first female trailblazer in her field” and expressed hope that a UK gallery or institution would acquire the terracotta to enable future generations to appreciate the celebrated sculptor’s work.
The Committee determined the sculpture satisfied all three Waverley criteria for preventing export: outstanding connection to British history and national life, outstanding aesthetic importance, and outstanding significance for studying Damer’s career and working practices as one of the first major female sculptors, as well as the development of animal portraiture.
The sculpture was bequeathed by Damer to her cousin and heir, Louisa Johnston, and remained in family ownership until its sale at Sotheby’s London on 2 July 2025.
Public bodies may propose offers below the recommended price through private treaty sale arrangements where appropriate, which the Minister can consider. Such arrangements frequently provide substantial financial advantages to institutions seeking to acquire items.
Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the work should contact the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art at rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk or 02072680534. The Committee operates as an independent body serviced by Arts Council England, advising the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether cultural objects intended for export meet national importance criteria.
