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BM receives highest-value object donation in UK museum history
Collection of 1,700 Chinese ceramics is worth an estimated £1bn
A collection of Chinese ceramics worth an estimated £1bn has been given to London's British Museum, making it the highest-value object donation in UK museum history.
The 1,700 items have been given by the trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation, named after British businessman Percival David (1892–1964), who collected ceramics in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and China.
The collection has been on loan to the British Museum since 2009. The donation means the British Museum will hold one of the most important collections of Chinese ceramics of any public institution outside the Chinese-speaking world, numbering 10,000 objects.
British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said: “I am humbled by the generosity of the trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation in permanently entrusting their incomparable private collection to the British Museum.
“These celebrated objects add a special dimension to our own collection and together offer scholars, researchers and visitors around the world the incredible opportunity to study and enjoy the very best examples of Chinese craftsmanship anywhere in existence.”
Colin Sheaf, the chair of the Sir Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art and the Sir Percival David Foundation Academic and Research Fund, said: “It’s exactly 100 years since Sir Percival David made his first visit to China. His inaugural trip engendered a lifelong love of its art and culture, especially the imperial porcelains made for the use of the emperor and his court, which inspired him to assemble his unparalleled private collection.
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“It’s entirely fitting therefore that, in this centenary year, the trustees of his foundation should resolve that the most 15 permanent home for his collection is the British Museum, where – on loan for 15 years – it has attracted millions of visitors every year, accomplishing all the charitable purposes of the foundation.”
Highlight examples from the collection include the “David vases” from 1351. Their discovery revolutionised the dating for blue and white ceramics. The collection also includes a “Chicken cup” used to serve wine for the Chenghua emperor (1465-87) and Ru wares made for the Northern Song dynasty court around 1086.
Ceramics from the collection will be lent to the Shanghai Museum in China and Metropolitan Museum in New York.
The final transfer of ownership to the British Museum will be subject to the Charity Commission’s consent, if needed.