Wallace Collection of the wealthiest families in Europe. They owned large properties in England, Wales and Ireland, and increased their wealth through successful marriages. Politically of lesser importance, the 3rd and 4th Marquess and Sir Richard Wallace became leading art collectors of their time. The Wallace Collection, comprising about 5,500 works of art, was bequeathed to the British nation by Lady Wallace in 1897. The state then decided to buy Hertford House to display the collection and it was opened as a museum in 1900. As a museum the Wallace Collection's main strength is perhaps its extraordinary array of 18th-century French art:
Tsuba in the collection of Wolverhampton Art Gallery Tsuba in the collection of Wolverhampton Art Gallery There are 114 tsuba in the Wolverhampton Art Gallery collection, with works ranging from the Momoyama period to the end of the Edo period. The tsuba were part of a wider collection of weapons and sword guards donated by Councillor Davis Green in October 1924. Originally the collection belonged to a Mr. C.E.F.Griffiths and was loaned to the gallery. The collection was reclaimed by the family, it is presumed that Mr. Griffiths died, and put it up for auction at Dudley Auction Rooms. Councillor Green bought the whole collection for £350 and