The British Museum is set to receive a remarkable £1bn donation of Chinese ceramics from the Sir Percival David Foundation. This is believed to be the highest-value gift ever received by a UK museum, enhancing its position as a leading institution for Chinese art outside the Chinese-speaking world. The collection, which spans a wide range of historical periods, will not only enrich the museum’s existing holdings but also offer visitors and researchers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the finest examples of Chinese craftsmanship.
What Does the Collection Span?
The gift includes over 1,700 items that date from the third to the 20th century. Many of these ceramics are of imperial quality, collected by Sir Percival David, an Indian-born British businessman, who dedicated his life to amassing the finest examples of Chinese porcelain. The donation will bring the British Museum’s collection of Chinese ceramics to an impressive 10,000 pieces, significantly bolstering its reputation in this area of expertise.
The British Museum expressed excitement about the gift, saying: “The incredible opportunity to study and enjoy the very best examples of Chinese craftsmanship anywhere in existence is something we are thrilled to offer to our visitors and researchers.”
Who Was Sir Percival David?
The items in the donation were collected by Sir Percival David between the 1920s and 1960s, with most sourced from Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. Sir Percival, who lived from 1892 to 1964, was renowned for acquiring rare and priceless works of art, particularly ceramics of imperial Chinese origin. His collection includes vases from as early as 1351, which revolutionised the understanding and dating of blue and white ceramics with their discovery. One of the most fascinating pieces is a cup adorned with a chicken, used to serve wine to the Chenghua Emperor in the 1400s.
The British Museum acknowledged the significance of this acquisition, saying, “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. The addition of these treasures is a rare and exceptional gift.”
What Was Sir Percival David’s Vision for the Collection?
The Sir Percival David Foundation, which manages the collection, has stated that Sir Percival always envisioned his prized ceramics being displayed publicly, in order to inspire and educate future generations. This donation ensures that the collection will be available for study and enjoyment by people from around the world, contributing to the public’s understanding of Chinese culture and craftsmanship.
The final transfer of ownership is subject to approval from the Charity Commission, but once completed, the collection will be on permanent display at the British Museum. Additionally, items from the collection will be lent to other prestigious institutions, including the Shanghai Museum in China and the Metropolitan Museum in New York, further expanding their global reach.
Why Is This Gift Considered a Monumental Act of Generosity?
Arts minister Sir Chris Bryant expressed his deep gratitude for the donation, calling it a “phenomenal act of generosity.” He continued, “I am immensely grateful for this act of generosity and very much hope it will help set a trend for others.”
This exceptional gift will solidify the British Museum’s status as a leading institution for Chinese art, while also offering new opportunities for scholarship and cultural exchange.
