The British Museum has secured an unprecedented acquisition that will transform its standing among global cultural institutions. The Sir Percival David Foundation’s remarkable collection of Chinese ceramics, valued at around £1 billion, will become a permanent part of the Museum in a historic gift.
This extraordinary gift of 1,700 pieces is the most valuable object donation ever made to a British museum. The collection, assembled by Sir Percival David (1892-1964), showcases exceptional Chinese craftsmanship spanning several dynasties and demonstrates the profound cultural exchange between East and West.
“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,” said Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum. “These celebrated objects add a special dimension to our own collection.“
The collection includes remarkable pieces such as the 1351 “David Vases,” which revolutionized scholars’ understanding of the dating of blue and white ceramics. Other treasures include an exquisite “Chicken Cup” made for the Chenghua Emperor (1465-87), and precious Ru wares made for the Northern Song Dynasty court around 1086.
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George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, is enthusiastic about the acquisition: “This is the largest bequest to the British Museum in our long history. This comes at a highly significant moment for us – as we embark on the most significant cultural redevelopment of the Museum ever undertaken.“
The collection’s new permanent home fulfills Sir Percival’s vision of maintaining public access to these masterpieces. His passion for Chinese culture led him to learn the language and travel extensively throughout Asia, building what would become the finest private collection of Chinese ceramics outside of Asia.
Colin Sheaf FSA, Chairman of the Sir Percival David Foundation, reflects on the timing: “This centenary year marks exactly 100 years since Sir Percival David first visited China. His inaugural trip sparked a lifelong love of its art and culture, especially the imperial porcelains made for the use of the Emperor and his court“.
Renowned artist Edmund de Waal shares his personal connection: “I first saw these beautiful pots when I was sixteen and they have stayed with me over the decades. The collection was created out of deep love and respect for Chinese culture and has been profoundly generative in its turn.”
The British Museum plans to continue to share these treasures globally through loans to institutions such as the Shanghai Museum and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Research partnerships continue to yield discoveries, including recent work with forensic scientists at Cranfield, which identified another significant piece of Ru ware.
This transformative gift ensures that future generations will have access to one of the world’s most important collections of Chinese ceramics, strengthening the British Museum’s position as a leading institution for Asian art outside the Chinese-speaking world.
