The collection has been on loan to the museum since 2009 in the specially designed bilingual Room 95, with an online catalogue available to view across the world, as Sir Percival, who lived from 1892 to 1964, wanted his private collection to be used to inform and inspire people. This collection aims not just to be seen but to engage and educate a wide audience.
Director of the British Museum Dr Nicholas Cullinan expressed gratitude, stating: "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, Chairman of The Sir Percival David Foundation, emphasized, "In every respect, this gift achieves the three objectives which most preoccupied Sir Percival as he planned for the collection's future. To preserve intact his unique collection, to keep every single piece on public display together in perpetuity in a dedicated gallery, and to ensure the collection would remain not only a visual display of surpassing beauty, but also an inspiration and education for future generations."
The donation will bring the museum's collection of Chinese ceramics to 10,000 pieces, making it one of the most important collections of the ceramics of any public institution outside the Chinese-speaking world. Highlights from the collection include the David vases from 1351, which revolutionised the dating for blue and white ceramics.
Collection
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