the backstory on each of those works of art, are as intricate as the art itself I'm sure.

We just came back from London. We went in this room and I had no idea it belonged to one man. There was so much treasure, it was overwhelming. It is certain he had great taste. The thorn reliquary is so busy, your eye runs from place to place to figure out what your looking at, but it is magnificent.

As a jeweler, I say these pieces are stunning. As usual, the craftspeople are unknown and unnamed. Faberge, Tiffany, even Michaelangelo had ‘helpers’ who did most of the work, from a design or model by the master. I bow deeply to these invisible geniuses. I echo “Drink NukaClassic’.

This is an extremely impressive collection. It would be a honor to spend hours viewing it, and taking it all in. I hope to see it one day.

The collection is magnificent and overwhelming. I adore it and I am so appreciative of the fact that someone was able to afford to save these pieces in one collection and that we now all have access to it so that our eyes can 'devour' such beautiful and remarkable craftmanship.

Magnificent ...and .... Magnificent .... its truly a WOW Collection ... What detail what summitry What beauty ... What craftsmanship ... I LOOK IN SHEER AMAZEMENT and AWE !!! ... What an amazing opportunity to see this first hand ...

Wonderful, I long to see it. It’s perhaps the best collection of Europe’s best art objects ever.

These objects were created delicately, uniquely and extremely interesting and amazing. Their creators are brilliant people.

What a treat it would be to spend endless hours at the British Museum.

The fantastic wealth that lends (sorry, for the pun) itself to the collection is amazing. There is always something spirited in museums, sometimes frighteningly beautiful, indeed the collector's heart and soul along with the lives of the creators of such things linger in such places. Quite frankly beyond perception in full.

I totally share G. Perry’s opinion. I’m amazed by the work behind it and the time looked through the object

I'm working on a painting right now. I felt a bit idiotic because I can't seem to stop working on it, like the more time I devote the better it gets. That goes against the modern technique of knocking art off as quickly as possible. I actually felt stupid being so slow. Now I feel vindicated. The more time I spend the better it gets. What a riotous thrill this video is for the eyes. Thank you.

These items are so beautiful. I can imagine the lifetimes that went into creating that collection.

Obsessive collecting? Dressing up recreationism? 06:00 "Is an interactive artifact, not a toy, mom!"? Is this how ancient nerds look like, then...?

"He found human relationships difficult" Me: Same Ferdi, same.

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I visited Waddesdon and it is truly beautiful.

I think the boxwood tabernacle is the most impressive piece of the entire collection. Practically worthless wood transformed into something almost priceless by the the will of it's creator, it's beautiful. I wonder though if this generous bequest isn't a deep guilt of the usury employed to generate the wealth for it's purchase. If not it certainly should be.

I could sit all day looking at these Beautiful works of Art. Great

Such a deep load of memories, sentimentil.. The feeling. Beyond reach and grasp within human hearts.

The rock crystal bowl amazed me. It was so elegant made from solid stone.

You cannot run through this collection it takes you hours upon hours of sheer appreciation on viewing ..I remember it fondly

We collect on a smaller scale .. a delight to touch... thrill of delight on my small frame , bless you young man to feel what you felt.

It's so beautiful its intoxicating to look upon and marvel at. An absolutely immaculate journey through time

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS...

Never knew of this...but so amazing.. I would love to go to the museum!

Thank you for posting this.

Gotta love how these museum types tend to lend themselves to embellish the motives of their benefactors in owning these pieces. To those who have them they were simply objects in their home to fill large living spaces or collaterals to debt acquired at deep discount from their previous owners. To those who hail from simpler backgrounds they transform by way of the museum's narratives to rarities that are subjects of awe and wonder.

Exquisite Workmanship.. thank you for sharing this, I'm a collector and I really appreciate the history of the pieces and art.

This man was brilliant every piece has a story to every cut.

This isn’t just a show of wealth, it’s a show of craftsmanship. And if the landed gentry didn’t develop taste, and spend wildly, those artists abilities would never have come to development.

One cannot take anything material with us, so giving to Museum, is best of all to share for many years, with the public, whom would appreciate it.

Ferdinand Rothschilds words on his wife are beautiful and moving

It's good that he gave this to the British Museum for the education and enjoyment of the public.

These pieces are absolutely astonishing. I think I should very much like to travel to see them for myself. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, even learn more about them, their collector and original artists.

I have spent a good 2 hrs watching all of these collections in the British museum. Its delicate poetry in jewels. Enjoyed my moments and will advise all to visit and watch this in real life.

Marvelous collection!!! Must go and check it out one day! Thanks for sharing !

It sounds a bit as though Ferdinand found a refuge in his home. He perhaps was a shy man by nature.

This was one of the top 5 or 6 rooms to visit there. The Tabernacle was awe inspiring let alone. I have to watch others before I can give a more appropriate ranking!

Great art speaks to the human condition, and so it is no surprise that it gets caught up in the faultlines of our existence, our social orderings, and our understanding. It reminds us that we all experience life with equal directness, and the richness of life is everyone's for the embracing.

A delightful and sensitive presentation. Thank you!

The Waddesdon Bequest is a beautiful and loving gift to people full stop. Rich people could fight till the lawyers drop dead over something so beautiful but this family chose to collectively gift it to the people.

Wow the endpapers in the Red Book are just gorgeous.

I have no money ,no resources no hopes. I am the happiest man on earth. (I wonder if the the Rothchild's are.)

The Waddesdon Gallery is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite rooms at the British Museum. I just couldn't get enough of each and every magnificent object on display, I would have remained in Room 2a for weeks on end and savour the fine, skilled, extraordinary craftsmanship of each and every object collected by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild who generously bequeathed them to the British Museum to be enjoyed by the public. My deepest gratitude to Baron Rothschild, to Neil MacGregor,, the former Director of British Museum, to Baron Ferdinand Rothschild's relatives - Nathaniel Charles Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, and Hannah Rothschild - and to the artists and curators featured in this amazing video

What a stunning collection. Thanks for this video!

I was trying to pick a favorite but I love them all. 👍 What a remarkable man and the fact he gave his collection to the museum to be enjoyed by us was a really nice thing to do. The way you organised the collection so as to get a sense of him also as a collector as you walk round is genius really. ✌️

Fabulous and wondrous collection of beautiful, vibrant, vividly speaking pieces. I would like to know more about the stunning necklace Ms. Hannah Rothschild is wearing with such elegance. It also looks like a breathtaking Renaissance creation, fit to be in company with the rest. Exquisite taste certainly runs in the family, alongside the passion for collecting Lord Rothschild mentions!

Pure talent coming from a different way of life and different era. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!

Love the comment from the pompous git at the end. "Didn't expect to see something like THIS in the British Museum!" What a back handedcompliment!

Wow, this video convinced me that I need to make it a goal to see this for myself.

Just breathtaking in its intensity.....

Utterly amazing Cheers from OZstralia

The close ups of portions of the contents allows an artist like myself a real grasp of the high degree of workmanship of days gone, i dare say that objects such as these shown in this video give novices like me what one is capable of that artistion's need only visit such buildings that are stewards of such exquisite works of magnificence. In short i offer my sincerest gratitude for sharing what at one time was limited to certain audiences. I've only just begun working on bone in hopes that one day my abilities will be admired in the same way and manner as these where. P. S......is there any place where the raw materials are embellished will a lesser degree of precision??, so that I may have a place to start from. Perhaps a book of that type of workmanship. Sincerely and appreciably yours Leslie F. Reed Hazel Park, Michigan USA

Holy Crap its Mr Burns !!!!

There is no need for external shows of wealth, anymore. True wealth lies within.

Enjoyed it very much.

Incredible. I am off to the British Museum on Monday after seeing this. Thank you.

Wonderful collection and a verry beautiful house

So lovely. Thank you for sharing this with us. Amazing

I have been to Waddeson and I believe seen some of artifacts in collection at British Museum. Now I want to return with my new knowledge and appreciation for what's on offer!

Amazing stuff. And it's all free to look at. What a great gift of culture.

To me collecting would have less to do with showing off than feeling an obligation to use ones wealth to support artists so that people in the future get to experience what their ancestors were capable of.

Marvellous series.

Totally, awesome.

All of this curators and art mavens say some ridicules things, as if they "know" the mind of the collector personally. How do any of them know what he was thinking or way he collected what he did. If any of us had fantastic amounts of money and we had a love of pencil boxes or miniature boats that is what we be buy. No mystery in that. These curators try to make of it more than it was. The guy wanted to show off this wealth not unlike rap stars buying gold rings. Human nature hasn't change through history. The rich and powerful have always had the very best and we ALL do the same thing only limited to how much we can spend. The collector real value in the story is that he protected the items from going into obscurity or oblivion.

That reliquary would fetch maybe $2000 on Ebay in the US. The tabernacle, maybe $50. The cup, probably $10. But a Superman Action Comics #1, now THAT would get you $ 3.000.000 in America..

There is a carved wood rosary bead in the Cloisters Museum in NYC of similar workmanship & exquisite detail.

Absolutely breathtakingly incredible!!!

Such mixed feelings. Gratitude that these exquisite pieces have been preserved, gathered and exhibited publicly. Frustration that we are instructed to simply admire the collectors as 'benefactors', rather than gleaning any insight into the lives of those who created these marvels, how they were acquired or under what circumstances. Clearly, the focus is on the 'Great and the Good' with acquisitive genes, not those whose genes blessed them with the abilities to produce the treasures that they amuse themselves with, or those who relinquished them to make such a collection possible. (Understandable. One can only imagine the enormity of the leverage this clan wields over curators, worldwide.) Dismay that some of the most sublime pieces of Christian workmanship were grasped in the hands of those who have proudly displayed a great admiration for, cooperation with (and perhaps loyalty toward) forces of corruption rather than redemption. I try to imagine the sacred venues for which the reliquaries and tabernacles were created, rather than a smoking room in which unthinkable power was applied toward a single end... All in all, it's a wicked old world, and those with power skim the cream. From time to time I am given glimpses of that harvest, and am overwhelmed with joy that God has given humanity gifts that transcend all human dynasties, and that cannot be bought at any price. Yes, wealth will garner you the harvest - but only the Creator can bestow the seed from which it springs...and that seed is eternal.

Behold the great red Dragon and the woman clocked in the sun....William Blake

Those amazing time capisals need mirrors to see the details of this art pieces. This is so fun to hear the Rothchilds liked to collect his of object to preserve history, I to take into enjoying the pieces of time to I can teach others about our past.

The Charles Dickens library could not possibly have been in the museum during the 1830's, which is when Dora Thornton said that it was, as her date would have made him too young, only in his twenties, and at the start of his career. His last installment of Oliver Twist was not published until the end of the 1830's (specifically 1839), while his June Pickwick installment had to be put off that same year, owing to his grief over the death of his wife's sister. This was at the very start of what was to become his intense popularity, but he was far from firmly established at that time. This is not the only mistake of Dr. Thornton's which I've spotted lately. Anyone can tell that there is a distinct difference between a three-quarter length portrait and a half length one, especially a student of art such as myself. The Flemish artist known as "the Master of the Female Half Lengths" was not given his or her name owing to a penchant for painting three-quarter length portraits of young women, after all. Please tell her that a waist length portrait is known, therefore, as a _half length_ one. Her description of the Hilliard portrait medallion of Elizabeth I was misleading, which has led to a certain amount of doubt in my mind as to her ability to recall certain facts. She seemed to know Hilliard's work well enough, I'll grant her that. She is certainly far more qualified than I to describe such a precious object. It was astonishing to me to hear her give such glaringly incorrect information to the public. I am merely a history buff with no special skills or training, and yet I spotted both errors instantly. I was relaxing during my viewing time, and not hunting for anyone's mistakes. In fact, I was trusting in the British Museum's reputation. You can imagine my dismay when I came across Dr Thornton's mistakes. As I've yet to see but two of her segments, I now find myself wondering about any others I might see, including those that feature other curators instead.

Anthony Trollope was an English novelist and civil servant of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire,

Would have been SO NICE if she'd let us actually SEE the photos of the "red book!"

Breathtaking

Simply jaw dropping

When your focus is on gathering inside your burrow as many "precious materials", "laborious details" and "rarity", you may end up living your life without experiencing art.

In other words....he was a very, very rich and choosy hoarder..... Oh, wait, he had money, so he was an eccentric nobleman. Amazing. Thank Heaven he was and did--else we might never have these things to admire and see and wonder about.

Fascinating

Such beauty. Amazing

it sad to say that with all this wealth you still need to face the reality of death.

Such a great collection.

Beautiful ornate priceless items

Wonderful !!! 🙂

I visited Waddesdon last month very much enjoyed it

These people are craftsmen.

Very generous Bequest! Spectacular collection....love the Italian majolica....that glass cup and cover is incredible. Such a noble, and kind act; undermines your family's "evil" reputation however.....not sure what to think now....lol

It's wonderful that these things have been collected, preserved and their beauty shared with the public.

Can't wait to visit.

“So that you have the most spiritually precious object surrounded by the most materially valuable things.” Just like Jesus wanted!

A Wonderful Bequest from a Wonderful Family, for a Wonderful Museum in a Wonderful Country !

What struck me was the Christian iconography collected by a member of a persecuted immigrant family. The only thing I saw that celebrated Jewishness was that amazing Tabernacle. I'm sure it wasn't easy to be a Jew even in 19th/20th century Britain.

Gracious of this family to share this with the public.

We keep all our priceless works of art in the smoking room. It's right next to the hair-combing room.

Those pearls were massive!!

Beautiful...

Great video😊

Gorgeous

Не знаю от чего больше получил удовольствие, лицезрев раритеты или слушая умнейших людей.

Never see a Hurst pulling a uhaul