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Giving

Do you love what we do and want to see more great exhibitions and hear from expert speakers that bring the collection to life? If so, please support our programming as every contribution, large or small, makes a difference. All gifts over $2 are tax deductible.

STAGE 1 APPROVED

Redevelopment Plan

David Roche Gallery will cement its position as Australia’s pre-eminent house museum through the delivery of a major 2 stage development plan; and henceforward, will rank alongside some of the finest, worldwide. It is a continuous program delivering benefits to the State and its community, in perpetuity. We invite philanthropic support and sponsorship from individuals, trusts and foundations, corporates, and government to realise David Roche Gallery’s bold vision to evolve into a unique cultural and world renown destination. First opened to the public in 2016, David Roche Gallery, through the delivery of the plan, will significantly expand and enrich all that The David Roche Collection can offer to reach its full potential and enhance the cultural life of South Australia. We now seek philanthropic support for this project which is due for completion in May 2026. For more information and updates visit our Captial Development page

Donations can be made at any time and all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. Donations over $100K will be appropriately recognised in consultation with the donor. If you would like to know more about contributing to our future vision please contact David Roche Gallery, Robert Reason, Director on (08) 8267 3677.

Current Acquisition Appeal

A rare hardstone desk seal belonging to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Our founder David Roche wanted DRG to be a ‘living’ collection that would grow with judicious acquisitions. The Gallery seeks to purchase an impressive gold-mounted banded agate desk seal cut with the coat of arms, initials and crest of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, and a scarce jasper ware portrait of the Duke that was modelled by Alexandre Brachard for the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory in 1815.

Several objects in the David Roche collection bear reference to the Duke of Wellington including a pollard ash Commode c.1820 that sat in the Duke’s bedroom at Strathfield Saye House. The Duke of Wellington’s seal is especially unusual with one face cut with the Duke’s coat of arms, and the other face cut with his initials and crest. The Duke’s fob seal is today held in the British Museum.

We seek your help in raising $18,000 toward the acquisition of this significant seal and portrait medallion. Donations over $1,000 can be acknowledged on the object’s credit line and donations of over $2,500 are eligible for recognition on both the object’s credit line and the David Roche Gallery donor board. All gifts over $2 are tax deductible and can be anonymous. Your contribution, large or small, will help bring this noteworthy object into the collection, so that people may marvel at it for years to come. Thank you for your generosity.

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Our Current Project

Conserving a rare waistcoat

DRG is actively conserving its collection for future generations to enjoy. This year Kristin at Artlab Australia has been working on a rare and fragile textile acquired by David Roche from the Dalva Brothers in New York, in 2007. This Louis XVI period embroidered waistcoat made in the 1780s required extensive stabilising treatment and a new mount for display. Kristin has been reducing staining, adding another support lining and silk grounds to larger areas of loss, as well as making copies of missing buttons.

The rich embroidery on this waistcoat depicting  palm trees and monkeys are recorded in a preparatory design drawing known as ‘Les Macaques’, found in a pattern book at the Musée des Tissus et des Arts décoratifs, in Lyon, France. Just one other waistcoat of this finished design is known; and it resides in Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This makes the waistcoat pretty special, and very deserving of conservation.

The conservation treatment costs $8000, plus the creation of a new bespoke frame for display in Fermoy House. We seek your help in raising money toward its conservation. Donations over $500 can be acknowledged on the credit line as well having the opportunity to view the work with Kristin, the textile conservator. All gifts over $2 are tax deductible.

Your contribution, large or small, will make a difference to saving this rare waistcoat, and will ensure many more people may marvel at its beauty for years to come. Thank you for your generosity.

Gifts and Bequests

Would you like to support an acquisition or donate a work of art? Visual and decorative arts may be donated to the collection directly, or through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, which may entitle donors to a tax deduction for the market value of donated works. Bequests specified in your Will of works of art, shares, property or other assets contribute to the future of David Roche Gallery. They can honour your generosity or memory of a loved one and will be appropriately acknowledged. All gifts of works of art are assessed against David Roche Gallery Acquisition Policy and Acquisition Strategy. For further information about supporting David Roche Gallery, contact Robert Reason, Director on (08) 8267 3677.