Museum acquisitions

National Museums NI has bought Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s (1841-1919) L’allée au bois via the government’s Acceptance in Lieu scheme for the Ulster Museum.

A John Constable drawing of St Botolph’s Priory is to return ‘home’ after Friends of Colchester Museums purchased it from a client of auction house Roseberys.

A Roman bust discovered in a US charity shop and bought for just $34.99 will be repatriated to Germany.

The National Trust has bought a prayer book at auction in Liverpool for display at Staffordshire farmhouse Moseley Old Hall.

Sir Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai (Omai) has been bought jointly by The National Portrait Gallery and the Getty Museum after long-running discussions.

Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire has acquired a rare early example of a handwritten letter by the novelist after its sale was negotiated by Cambridge auction house Cheffins.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy is launching a fundraising plan to buy a flag from polar explorer Captain Henry Kellett (1806-75).

The government is updating the Treasure Act so that important finds that are not part of the current legal definition can be more easily bought by museums.

The Getty Museum has agreed to acquire an ancient Roman marble bust which was sold at auction in London.

Enthusiastic metal detectorists discovered 96% of archaeological and Treasure finds, according to the latest report.

Six artworks are set to be saved for the nation according to the latest Exports of Objects of Cultural Interest report.