Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, Chinese ceramics collection at British Museum, United Kingdom.
The Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art is a collection of around 1,700 Chinese ceramic objects, including porcelain and stonewares, housed in a dedicated gallery space in London. The pieces are arranged in chronological order and cover a range of kiln traditions from the 10th to the 18th century.
Sir Percival David began acquiring Chinese ceramics from 1913 onward and traveled to China on several occasions to build his collection. He later placed his holdings in a foundation tied to a London university, and the collection eventually moved to the British Museum where it is displayed today.
The collection includes imperial porcelain from Jingdezhen, and the David Vases of 1351 are among the most recognized pieces on display. Walking through the gallery, visitors can see how decorative styles and firing techniques shifted from one dynasty to the next.
The collection is displayed within the British Museum in London and can be visited during the museum's regular opening hours. Information materials are available on site, and a specialized research library is open to those who want to explore the subject further.
Among the pieces are rare Ru stonewares from the Song dynasty, known for their fine crackle patterns and muted tones, which rank among the most sought-after objects in the history of Chinese ceramics. A Ming chicken cup from the time of Emperor Chenghua is also on display, a small vessel once traded at very high values for its refined decoration and imperial origins.
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