Oriental Museum: The Oriental Museum is the only museum of its kind in the United Kingdom, entirely devoted to art and archaeology from cultures throughout the Orient.
The term Oriental is used as it was in the 19th century, to describe the civilisations of Asia and the Near East and the Islamic cultures of North Africa. The collections range from prehistoric Egypt and China to the work of living artists.
The Museum was founded in 1950 and opened to the public in 1960 in the present building, built with funds from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The Museum is part of the University of Durham and serves as a teaching and research resource used by the university staff and students as well as researchers and connoisseurs throughout the world. It is open to the public and its collections are available to all students in full-time higher education and researchers.
The Marvels of China gallery opened in October 2000 thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The new gallery provides a fifth more exhibition space within the existing museum and the correct conditions to display many sensitive objects. The Marvels of China features selected pieces from the Museum's superb Chinese collections, including silk costumes and dress accessories, furniture, ivories, paintings and archaeological material. The displays are divided into four sections:
Contemporary Society, Ancient Civilisation
Imperial Decorative Arts
The Emperor and his Court
Exploring the Silk Route
For more information about Oriental Museum, please contact , or see event details on the left.
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