The bust of Helen of Troy at Mount Stewart

In collaboration with National Trust, Factum has created a facsimile of Canova’s Bust of Helen of Troy for display at Mount Stewart (Northern Ireland). The original 19th-century sculpture was gifted by Antonio Canova to Viscount Castlereagh as a thank-you gift for the Irish statesman’s role in rescuing and returning art looted by Napoleon’s troops across Europe.

The facsimile of Antonio Canova’s bust of Helen of Troy, and detail of the inscription © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation

The bust remained at Mount Stewart until its sale at Christie’s in 2023 to support new acquisitions for the collection. The National Trust commissioned Factum to create a facsimile in composite marble to keep the historical link between Viscount Castlereagh and his childhood home.

Facsimiles can preserve cultural heritage whilst ensuring important historical pieces remain accessible to the public. Factum’s work with collections such as Strawberry Hill House and the Chateau de Breteuil, and now Mount Stewart, is an example of how collections can use facsimiles to maintain the integrity of their historical narratives even when original works are sold or relocated.