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

(CLO) On Wednesday, the British Museum announced it would receive a gift of 1,700 famous Chinese porcelain pieces, estimated to be worth around £1 billion ($1.27 billion). This is 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. The collection includes pieces such as a pair of blue and white porcelain vases from 1351, small porcelain cups from the late 15th century, and many other rare antiques.

This rare chicken-shaped bowl dates back to the Ming Dynasty in China. Photo: British Museum Management.

"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 testament to our future."

With this gift, the British Museum will possess a collection of 10,000 Chinese ceramics, 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 piece of porcelain from the Qing Dynasty, China. Photo: British Museum Management.

British Arts Minister Chris Bryant said the collection would "help educate and broaden the horizons of future generations".

The British Museum announced it will 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 type of ceramics in the world today. Ceramic artifacts were crafted for the imperial court, 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