British Museum gifted thousands of Chinese ceramic artifacts worth $1.27 billion

(CLO) The British Museum said on Wednesday it will receive a gift of 1,700 famous Chinese ceramics, with an estimated value of 1 billion pounds ($1.27 billion), the largest donation in the museum's nearly 300-year history.

The collection, which had been on loan to the British Museum since 2009, has now been donated to the museum by the Percival David Foundation. It includes works such as a pair of blue and white porcelain vases from 1351, small porcelain cups from the late 15th century and many other rare antiquities.

A rare chicken-shaped bowl from the Ming Dynasty, China. Photo: British Museum Management Board

"This is the greatest legacy in the long history of the British Museum," said George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum. "It is a truly powerful vote of confidence in our future."

With this gift, the British Museum will own a ceramics collection of 10,000 Chinese ceramic artifacts, becoming one of the largest and most important collections outside of China.

Born in 1892, Percival David, a British businessman, had a deep passion for China, which inspired him to learn Chinese and collect ceramics – mainly those of royal quality or with a strong Chinese tradition – to build his own collection.

A ceramic work from the Qing Dynasty, China. Photo: British Museum Management

UK Arts Minister Chris Bryant said the collection would "help educate and open the eyes of the next generation".

The British Museum said it would support exhibitions at the Shanghai Museum in China and the Metropolitan Museum in New York by lending some ceramic works.

Porcelain was first produced in China around 600 AD and is still considered the most advanced ceramics in the world today. Ceramic artifacts were made for the imperial court, for the domestic market or for export.

Ha Trang (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bao-tang-anh-duoc-tang-hang-nghin-co-vat-gom-su-trung-quoc-tri-gia-127-ty-usd-post321563.html