The 1,700-piece collection, dating from the third to the 20th century, becomes the highest-value gift in UK museum history

The British Museum has secured a historic £1bn donation, marking the highest-value gift of objects in the museum’s history. A private collection of 1,700 Chinese ceramics, dating from the third to the 20th century, has been permanently gifted by the trustees of the Sir Percival David Foundation, making it one of the most significant collections of its kind held outside the Chinese-speaking world.

Previously on loan to the museum since 2009, the collection includes rare and invaluable items, expanding the museum’s holdings of Chinese ceramics to approximately 10,000 pieces. The donation includes iconic artefacts such as the renowned “David vases” from 1351 and a “chicken cup” used to serve wine for the Chenghua emperor in the 15th century.

George Osborne, chair of the British Museum, expressed his excitement over the donation, calling it a “blockbuster decision” that comes at a pivotal time for the museum as it embarks on an extensive redevelopment. This donation also underscores a deepening global recognition of the British Museum’s role in preserving and sharing Chinese cultural heritage.

The collection’s history traces back to the vision of Sir Percival David, a British businessman whose passion for Chinese ceramics led him to amass the collection over decades. David, who died in 1964, had always intended for his collection to remain publicly accessible, ensuring that future generations could learn from and be inspired by its contents.

Highlights from the collection include rare porcelain pieces made for the imperial court, along with innovative pieces such as Ru wares made during the Northern Song dynasty. Artist Edmund de Waal, whose work often features porcelain vessels, credited David’s collection as a transformative experience that shaped the careers of countless potters, scholars, and art enthusiasts.

The Sir Percival David Foundation’s trustees chose to donate the collection to the British Museum on its 100th anniversary of David’s first trip to China, affirming the museum as the ideal permanent home for the collection. This decision ensures that David’s legacy will continue to inspire visitors and scholars for generations to come.