Room 95
Chinese ceramics – Sir Percival David Collection
Visiting the gallery
Opening times
Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
See full opening hours
Advance booking advised
Gallery audio guides
Listen on the Audio app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
The skilful transformation of ordinary clay into beautiful objects has captivated the imagination of people throughout history and across the globe.
Porcelain was first produced in China around AD 600. Chinese ceramics, by far the most advanced in the world, were made for the imperial court, the domestic market or for export. Sir Percival David mostly collected objects of imperial quality or of traditional Chinese taste.
Within this gallery of almost 1,700 objects are examples of the finest Chinese ceramics in the world, dating from the third to the 20th century. Some are unique creations, while others were mass-produced in batches of several hundred at a time. Technological innovations and the use of regional raw materials mean that Chinese ceramics are visually diverse.
The objects in this gallery were gifted to the British Museum by the Sir Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art in March 2025. The trustees of the British Museum would like to thank the four trustees of the Foundation for their generosity in permanently entrusting Sir Percival's collection to the British Museum.
Take a virtual tour
Take a closer look at the beautiful variety of ceramics on display in Room 95.
Highlights
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Ru ware bowl stand
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Pear-shaped covered ewer
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Doucai 'Chicken cup'
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Vase with copper-red dragon
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Handscroll showing Chinese antiquities
Accessibility
- A large print guide is available.
- Some objects in this collection feature on the British Sign Language multimedia guide. This resource is temporarily unavailable. You can access a selection of BSL films on your own device.
- Some objects in this collection feature on the audio description guide, available on Soundcloud.
- Seating is available.
- Step-free access.
- View sensory map.
Visit Accessibility at the Museum for more information.
