You’ve got a share in a six-figure antiques collection!

Thursday 02 July 2015

You may not have known it up until now, but you own a share of a haul of antiques valued at just over £700,000 – including paintings, clocks, pianos and a sculpture.

The States of Jersey, on behalf of the taxpayer, owns the collection which is spread out around States buildings and schools.

But the Treasury department which is responsible for States assets has refused to say what is held, and where it is kept, saying that it might lead to the antiques getting pilfered.

They have released a simple breakdown of the antiques in response to a Freedom of Information Law request by Bailiwick Express, but have cited an exemption that lets them refuse an application if disclosure would prejudice: “the prevention, detection or investigation of crime, whether in Jersey or elsewhere”.

The list of antiques – with a total combined value of £706,000, according to the States of Jersey Financial Report and Accounts – includes:

• Six paintings.

• Five pianos.

• One organ.

• Twenty honours boards.

• One plaque.

• Two clocks.

• One model.

• One sculpture.