Raby

At Raby Castle we care for a range of historic collections, many of which are of national significance. Collected by members of the Vane family for at least four centuries, the collections reflect the lives of the people who have lived and worked here, individual tastes and interests, and connections of the people who have called the castle ‘home’.  

 From paintings to porcelain, furniture to archives, explore some of our collection highlights below and find out more about how we look after these historic treasures.  

For more information about accessing our archives. 

Art

Raby’s paintings, drawings, prints and miniatures include outstanding collections of sporting art, Old Master pictures, portraits and topographical works with long-standing associations with the castle. These are complemented by a sculpture collection assembled largely by the 2nd Duke of Cleveland during the mid-nineteenth century. 

Collection of Family Portraits in the Barons’ Hall 

The castle’s largest room is home to an extensive collection of family portraits. These paintings depict generations of women and men who have shaped Raby’s history, and reflect centuries of changing fashions and artistic styles. 

Spanning from the 1600s to the present day, the collection includes works by Reynolds, Lely and Soest amongst others. The earliest is a posthumous portrait of Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, the last member of the Neville family to reside at Raby Castle before it was forfeited to the crown after the Rising of the North. The most recent portrait depicts the current Lord Barnard in the ante-Library. 

The Artist in his Studio 

David Teniers II (1610-1690), Oil on Canvas  

This detailed painting is a favourite with visitors and a perfect demonstration of an artwork where there is always something new to see.  

It depicts the artist in a studio hung with recognisable pictures including Rubens’s ‘The Continence of Scipio’ and Van Dyck’s ‘Samson and Delilah’.  It is one of a group of superb Old Master paintings purchased by Henry, 2nd Duke of Cleveland in the mid-19th century.

Marcus Curtius leaping into the gulf 

Luca Giordano, 1634-1705 

According to legend, in 362 BC a deep chasm opened in the centre of Rome which would not close until Rome’s most valuable possession was thrown inside. Marcus Curtius became a legendary hero by representing the value of the brave citizens of Rome when he leaped on horseback into the gulf… which immediately closed behind him. 

This remarkable painting by an Italian master was purchased by Lady Grace Vane in 1750.  

The Greek Slave 

Hiram Powers, 1844 

American artist Hiram Powers created this sculpture, the first of six full-sized versions of the subject. It was exhibited in the American Hall in the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 where it rapidly grew in fame as the focal point for American abolitionist protestors, becoming a meaningful symbol for prominent abolitionists including Frederick Douglas who kept a miniature version in his study.  

It was purchased by the 2nd Duke of Cleveland eight years after being exhibited and remains a piece that is frequently studied by art historians for its many meanings. 

Harnessed carriage ponies in the stable yard at Raby Castle, 1824.  

J.F. Herring (Sen.), 1785-1865 

This delightful painting shows a liveried Coachman leading the Countess of Darlington’s carriage ponies into the clearly recognisable Coach House at Raby Castle. The Countess was known for her beautiful ponies, with one visitor writing in 1838 that they were “the most perfect things that ever bore the form & semblance of a horse…”.   

 Raby Castle displays an outstanding collection of equestrian and sporting paintings, reflecting the family’s long-standing love of horses and outdoor pursuits. 

Ceramics

Raby’s ceramics collection reflects centuries of collecting, bringing together an assemblage of Asian ceramics alongside a significant range of European wares. They illustrate the changing tastes, fashions and collecting interests, while showcasing a rich variety of techniques and decorative styles spanning cultures and centuries. 

Model Pagodas

Porcelain 

Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China, circa 1803

These porcelain pagodas are among the finest examples in Raby Castle’s Chinese ceramics collection. Made in Jingdezhen for the export market, they were acquired by William Harry Vane, 3rd Earl of Darlington (later 1st Duke of Cleveland), a passionate collector of Chinese porcelain. The pair was brought to Britain by London dealer Robert Fogg – nicknamed “the Chinaman” – and closely resembles a set purchased by the Prince Regent for the Royal Pavilion, now housed at Buckingham Palace. 

 

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Chinese pagodas captivated European aristocrats, appearing on ceramics, textiles, and even in garden architecture. The Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens, built in 1762 for Princess Augusta, is a famous example. Chinoiserie became a fashionable style in elite homes, and Raby Castle was no exception. Though its Chinese Salon was replaced by the present Dining Room in the mid-1800s, pagoda imagery remains throughout the castle – in books, furniture, ceramics, and decorative models – reflecting a lasting fascination with Chinese design.

Pelican model 

Johann Joachim Kaendler, c. 1732 

While Raby holds a range of Meissen porcelain, from tea bowls and saucers to vases and plates, the most recognisable Meissen are the collection of five large bird figures. 

Created by Johann Joachim Kaendler and Johann Gottlieb Kirchner for Augustus the Strong’s Japanese Palance in Dresden, these impressive sculptures date from the pioneering years of Meissen manufacture.  Acquired by the 2nd Duke of Cleveland in 1858, they demonstrate the technical skill of European porcelain production in the 18th century given the difficulties in firing pieces of such a size. 

The pelican is the most striking, modelled swallowing a fish with its’ head turned back to rest on the body. It was one of the first animals produced by Kaendler in 1732. 

Sèvres Porcelain 

France, 18th–19th centuries 

Raby Castle holds a remarkable collection of Sèvres porcelain, acquired by successive Earls of Darlington and Dukes of Cleveland. These pieces reflect their tastes and engagement with European artistic fashion. 

Founded in 1740 and relocated to Sèvres near Versailles in 1756, the Sèvres manufactory quickly became one of Europe’s most prestigious porcelain producers. With royal patronage from King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, Sèvres porcelain was celebrated for its technical innovation, including vibrant glazes like the iconic bleu de Sèvres, and its exquisite hand-painted decoration and gilding – all of which can be seen at Raby Castle. 

Dinner service 

Copeland and Garrett, mid-19th century 

In the mid-19th century, Raby Castle regularly hosted visitors from family and friends to royalty and politicians. This Copeland & Garrett white and gilt porcelain service bears a gilt coat-of-arms and crowned monogram and is designed to impress. 

Copeland & Garrett supplied tableware to the aristocracy and royalty alike. With such lavish hospitality, one can only imagine the culinary delights served on such fine dishes. One guest, visiting in 1838, describes how the dinner table was, “resplendent with gold, & covered with all that wealth, taste and luxury could supply”.  

 But such lavish hospitality was not purely an expression of wealth. At these tables networks and alliances were formed and built. Politically and socially, the dining table was a place to exert influence and canvas support, with the food served on these plates having a far more important role than merely satiating hunger. 

Minton dinner-plates 

Another highlight of Raby’s ceramics collection it its range of Minton ware, which includes floral dessert plates, elegant cups and saucers, and an impressive pair of turquoise-glazed nautilus shells. One example can be seen in the Servant’s Hall: a set of 36 dinner plates, each decorated with a unique arrangement of bird feathers. 

 Founded in Stoke-on-Trent in 1793, Minton grew to become one of the most influential names in British ceramics. During the Victorian period, the company was renowned for its innovation in pottery, porcelain, tiles and decorative wares.  

 

Furniture

As Raby Castle changed from a medieval fortress to a luxurious family home, so furniture was purchased from some of Britain’s finest makers to fill the family rooms. The collections include superb examples of 18th and 19th century decorative furniture which contrast perfectly with the functional furnishings of the spaces used by the Raby workforce.  

Suite of furniture in the Octagon Drawing Room

G.J. Morant, 19th century

This suite of furniture was supplied by G. J. Morant, one of London’s leading cabinet makers, upholsterers and decorators during the first half of the nineteenth century.  

Morant was renowned for creating richly furnished interiors in which the furniture, decoration and architecture worked together as a unified scheme. The coordination between the furniture and architectural elements of the Octagon Drawing Room suggest that Burn and Morant most likely corresponded with each other on this project to create a harmonious result for the Duke and Duchess. The suite of early Victorian giltwood seating, with the gilding, scrolling carved details and damask upholstery compliment the room’s silk wall coverings and curtains.  

Six-leaf lacquered screen

c.1700-1750

A Chinese lacquer screen seen in the Library, dating from the first half of the eighteenth century, showcases the craftsmanship associated with lacquer production. 

Decorated in gold on a black lacquer ground, the Chinese miaojin (painted gold) technique was inspired by original Japanese maki-e lacquerware. This style was produced in centres such as Guangzhou, a major centre for lacquer manufacture and export to European collectors. 

 This object offers a glimpse into aspects of Chinese country life- one side depicts women and children engaged in leisure pursuits, such as boating, calligraphy and traditional games, and the reverse shows a hunting party travelling through a mountainous landscape.

Morel and Hughes furniture 

19th century

Around 1815, Raby Castle undertook a significant programme of furnishing, purchasing a substantial quantity of pieces from the celebrated London firm Morel and Hughes. The company was amongst the most prestigious cabinet-makers and upholsterers of the Regency period, renowned for supplying furniture to royalty and the British aristocracy, including the Prince Regent, later King George IV.  

Among the pieces attributed to Morel and Hughes at Raby are some striking calamander (or zebra wood) tables, and a suite of giltwood and damask seat-furniture in the Gothic Revival style.  

Kitchen suite 

Raby’s medieval kitchen dates from around 1360, but the furniture and equipment it contains span several centuries, reflecting the space’s continuous use through to the 1950s. Connected to a fish yard, dairy, storerooms and sculleries, the kitchen formed part of a much larger complex dedicated to preparing food for the household and its guests. 

 The 19th century kitchen tables and chopping block, alongside the longcase clock, were later painted blue to match the room’s distinctive interior. Unlike the more decorative furniture elsewhere in the castle, these robust working pieces were designed for daily use, and still bear the marks caused by the workforce preparing meals and banquets. 

Louis XIV marquetry desk  

This remarkable desk has been attributed to Aubertin Gaudron (active c1670-1700), who was a supplier of inlaid furniture to the royalty and aristocracy in France. It is a rare survivor of the famed flourishing of exquisite craftsmanship encouraged by Louis XIV (1643-1715) and his court at Versailles. The desk has continued to be used at Raby, with the inset leather replaced in the 1900s. Originally the different woods would have been vibrant colours, which have become much more subtle over time. 

Throughout the castle are other examples of remarkable inlaid and boulle work furniture, using hardwoods, metals, tortoiseshell and semi-precious stones. 

Archive  

Raby’s Archives comprise almost 1km of material (if the boxes were placed side-by-side) and span the 12th to the 21st centuries. Our records document the history of the Castle and Raby estates, both present and past, and cover parts of the country which have belonged to the Vane family over that time.  

Many collections capture personal stories from Vane family members and estate staff, providing us with an understanding of lived experiences at Raby. These highlights come from some of the most important parts of the Archive, and are selected to represent very rich and varied collections. 

These proposals for the interior of Raby’s ‘High Hall’ (Barons’ Hall today) were drawn by James Gibbs (1682-1754), perhaps in the late 1720s. These were never implemented, but come from the very beginning of Raby’s restoration in the early Georgian era, starting the process of the Castle becoming the historic home seen today.  

These plans are among the earliest from Raby’s nationally-important collection of architectural plans. The collection includes drawings by other noted architects who have worked on the Castle and estate in past centuries, including Daniel Garrett (d.1753), James Paine (1717-1789), John Carr of York (1723-1807), and William Burn (1789-1870). 

This pair of plans – to draw and survey Raby’s park, gardens and woodlands – is by noted County Durham cartographer and astronomer Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779). Dixon’s project documented the developing landscape of the area whilst also supporting the land management of the cultivated farmlands and managed woods. These are the earliest known plans by Dixon to survive anywhere, and pre-date his better-known work on the Mason-Dixon Line in the USA. 

 The maps collection in Raby’s archive is extensive, spanning the early 18th to the early 21st centuries and comprises thousands of individual items. These include plans of all types, from land surveys and landscaping, to transport and mining development, to land management and drainage. 

This object is among the most important from Raby’s medieval past; no other records survive at Raby from the Neville family who built the castle (whose papers were recorded missing centuries ago). 

This inquisition post mortem (IPM) lists the lands of John de Neville, who received the license to crenellate Raby in 1378. Written in Latin, an IPM was an administrative document listing lands of an estate, identifying the heir to each part on the subject’s death. This IPM shows the extent of Neville lands at that time, indicating their power and status. Interestingly, it also records lands held ‘by right of his wife’ Elizabeth, who had inherited lands and title (Baroness Latimer) in her own right. 

This beautifully illuminated pedigree of the Vane & Fane families was commissioned from the College of Arms by William, 2nd Viscount Vane of Fairlawne (1714-1789). Measuring over 3 metres in length, the roll visually emphasises the remarkable historic links of different branches of the Vane family, including important medieval royal connections and also those with the Nevilles of Raby. 

The scroll comes from the archives’ personal records and papers (almost exclusively from members of the main branch of the Vanes of Raby) from the early 18th century onwards. These include remarkable correspondence collections, diaries, notes, legal and court papers, financial records and more recently photographs and scrapbooks. 

These remarkable entries in one of the household ledgers are not only the earliest surviving records of members of the staff at the Castle, but even include the servants’ own signatures and ‘marks’ (for those who didn’t know how to write) to receive wages. 

 One footman has signed his name ‘Sipeo’, and elsewhere he is identified as ‘Scipio.’ This is thought to be the signature of a black servant. His name is probably a reference to the Roman general Scipio Africanus; black servants very often went by names from classical history or literature. He was paid the same as other footmen at the same time. 

 The archives hold remarkable administrative records for the Castle and estates, which capture important histories for those who have lived and worked here over centuries. The 19th century administrative records are particularly extensive, and constitute a significant record of one of the largest estates in the country at that time.

Social History

Alongside the fine and decorative arts, the castle contains a collection of social history objects that tell the stories of the generations of people who have lived and worked at Raby. From items connected to domestic life and estate work to personal possessions and mementoes, these objects help to illuminate the people behind the castle’s history. 

Raby’s textile collection provides a unique insight into how those who lived and worked at the castle dressed, and ranges from fascinating collections of parasols, fans and shoes, to sumptuous coronation robes, jockey silks and servant livery. 

This footman’s livery is one of six found at Raby Castle, and represents the ostentatiousness associated with the role, with personalised buttons and wonderfully fitted jackets. Footmen were employed to attend the family, and were said to be chosen for their similar stature and build. Footmen were just one of the roles within the extensive workforce, employed care for the Vane family, castle and wider estate. A visit to Raby will see the Housekeeper’s Sitting Room, the Butler’s Pantry and the Servant’s Hall; all spaces representing the dedicated members of the workforce. 

 

A visit to Raby castle in the 19th century will have seen you travelling with a horse and carriage directly into the grand Entrance Hall. This room was transformed to accommodate large coaches and carriages driving straight through to drop guests off inside, and reflects the once important mode of transport.  

The impressive State Coach is just one of the vehicles in Raby’s collection, which span from the larger travelling chariots and State Coach, to the more practical Governess cart and estate fire engines. The State Coach was originally built in the early 1800s for the Duke of Cleveland, by Rigby & Robinson of Park Lane, London, and was more recently used by the 9th Lord and Lady Barnard to attend the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902.  

Stories of Raby’s military exploits span back as far as the influential Nevilles who lived here during the 14th-17th centuries, notably John Neville, a Commander at the Battle of Neville’s Cross. The collection of arms and armour and military uniform at Raby encompass the later Vane family’s roles, including with the Durham Militia and the Durham Light Infantry.  

 This wheel trophy of thirty-eight Flintlock (Brown Bess) service muskets was believed to have been used by the Durham Militia, a local regiment originally raised in response to the French invasion threat during the Seven Years War. The Durham Militia was originally led by Henry Vane, 2nd Earl of Darlington of Raby Castle. The Durham Militia eventually transformed into reserve battalions of the newly created Durham Light Infantry in 1881 and effectively represents the military links between Raby and the region throughout the years. 

 More recently, the families of the 9th and 10th Lords Barnard participated in the First and Second World Wars, and Raby became home to billeted soldiers, Land Girls and a military vehicle depot. 

This mahogany cabinet is known as the Weeks Cabinet after Thomas Weeks (1743-1834), who installed a barrel organ in the lower cupboard at his Museum of Mechanical Curiosities in London around 1797. 

 At the turn of the 19th-century, British fascination with all things mechanical grew, inspiring the incorporation of entertainment within pieces of furniture. It is likely the 3rd Countess of Darlington saw a similar cabinet with a barrel organ in Weeks’ Museum and was inspired to commission one for Raby. 

 This was just one of the many ways visitors to Raby were entertained- the 1st Duchess of Cleveland was known for her Museum of Natural History, the 4th Duchess for encouraging visitors to contribute to the castle Visitor Books, and the unique stone Minstrel’s Gallery seen in the Barons’ Hall would have housed musicians during grand banquets.

A visit to Raby’s impressive medieval Kitchen is illuminated by our collection of over one hundred copper moulds, many bearing the monogram of the Dukes of Cleveland.  

 From jellies and puddings to savoury mousses, fine dining during the heyday of the Dukes of Cleveland involved courses of intricately shaped foods, made with care by a large kitchen workforce. These moulds were transported with the family down to their London residence to ensure fancy feasts could be hosted all year round. 

 The castle’s collection also includes historical receipt books, which first began to circulate widely in the 19th century. In these, family members would record recipes passed along through friends or family. Dining at Raby was an estate wide responsibility, where food grown in the Walled Gardens was passed to the kitchens to be made into impressive meals shared in the Dining Room. 

Caring for our collections  

Caring for Raby’s collections is an ongoing responsibility. Our team works to preserve the castle’s historic interiors and diverse collection of objects through careful preventative and remedial conservation, ensuring they can be enjoyed by future generations. 

 This work involves monitoring environmental conditions, carrying out routine collections care and cleaning, and working closely with specialist conservators and experts to safeguard the long-term condition of the collections. 

Historic Mends 

Over time and through use, objects can become damaged and deteriorate. The objects in Raby’s collection have been well cared for throughout the generations, with several ceramics receiving treatment for breaks including adhesion, staples and fills. 

 Historic mends and repairs can become unstable over time. Historic adhesives are particularly vulnerable to aging – where they are used to repair ceramics they may lose strength as well as become discoloured, putting the ceramic at risk of further damage.  

 The ceramics in Raby’s collection are regularly checked for their condition and prioritised for conservation treatment as required. This may involve examining and analysing a historic mend and, in discussion with the family and Curator, deciding on a suitable course of action to stabilise the item. All stages of the process are documented to provide a record of the object’s history. 

Carriages 

In 2023, conservation work was undertaken on the Travelling Chariot, made by Coates Blizzard, Park Lane, London. The Chariot, built in the late 18th Century, was showing signs of wear and tear consistent with its age. Over a period of several months, corrosion products were removed from iron alloy fixings, textiles on the interior and exterior were carefully vacuumed and areas of missing paint work were colour matched and in–painted. Details of the condition prior and post conservation work were documented with photographs and written documentation to guide future understanding of the object.  

Octagon Drawing Room 

The Octagon Drawing Room is a real highlight of a visit to Raby. Modelled by Robert Burn in 1848, the room and many of its contents were subject to a restoration programme in the 1990s.  

 The wall panels and textiles in this room are vulnerable to the effects of light – to reduce exposure, UV filters are fitted on the window glass and light diffusing blinds fitted to the interior. Light readings are regularly taken to monitor the light reaching the textiles and indicate if further action is required. 

Medieval Kitchen  

Each winter, many of the Raby volunteers come together to assist the conservation cleaning of the copper in the kitchen. From large cooking pots and pans to small butter moulds, each item is dusted, cleaned with conservation grade products and buffed before being returned to display. Care is taken to remove cleaning products from finely engraved details and document any changes in condition from previous cleaning.  

Wicker garden furniture 

Wicker is a popular material for garden furniture, often woven into interesting designs and patterns. In 2025, 2 items of wicker were conserved for display; a chair and lounger. Both required careful cleaning to remove adhered dirt and debris without damaging fragile joins. Both items suffered from losses in several places – as the items are not intended for use, archival card was used to cut strips, adhered to existing wickerwork and woven to secure and stabilise damaged areas as well as provide visual continuity. 

Partnerships 

We are delighted to have an established relationship with the Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects MSc at Durham University. Objects are selected to support students with their knowledge and skill acquisition, with students conducting treatments on a range of materials. 

 Examples of such projects include the conservation of a plaster bust of the Duke of Wellington, repairing damaged porcelain items and the treatment of a shoulder yoke, likely used by a milk maid. Students have also contributed to Christmas at Raby with the creation of artificial bon bons for display. Students from the course are invited to Raby annually to explore conservation and collections care at a historic house and practice their collections care skills.  

Further reading

Collection Highlights

The Raby Archive houses historic papers of the Vane family and their past estates and landholdings, with more recent business records of Raby Estates.

Research Projects

Archives

Events

Sign up to the Raby Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter today to receive weekly updates, exclusive offers and priority booking on our seasonal events.