Ashmolean Museum -Oxford, Oxfordshire - 06-10-2018 (47)A
The Ashmolean Museum
Situated in Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH
There was a previous building housing ‘a Cabinet of Curiosities’ as far back as the late 1670’s. These items were given to the University of Oxford by Elias Ashmole in 1677.
That building was erected between 1678-1683 and was in Broad Street, Oxford. Much of the collection was acquired from John Tradescant the elder and younger. They were father and son travellers, collectors and gardeners. One unique item that they had sold was a Dodo, possibly the last ever seen in Europe, but it was so damaged, all that could be recovered was the head and one claw. This exhibit now resides in the University Museum of Natural History. Other notable artefacts include Guy Fawkes Lantern, a wall hanging of Powhatan, the Father of Pocahontas and Jacob’s coat of many colours although this has been lost. This building is now the History of Science Museum.
The current building in Beaumont Street was erected between 1841-1845 and was designed by Charles Cockerell. It appears that a large part of the collection either went missing or was damaged so Sir Arthur Evans was appointed in 1884 to restructure the Museum and with donations from Charles Fortnum of cash of £10,000, a considerable sum also his collection of antiques he was able to turn around the fortunes of the museum. A new extension was built and the collection was moved there. In 1908 the Ashmolean collection and University Galleries were combined, the new title being the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. Evans himself bought to the museum specimens of archaeology from diggings in Crete. He also retired in 1908.
Other notable donations include £1,000 from C B Heberden which helped to create a coin room. In 2012 a grant of $1.1m was awarded to enable teaching and research of the University.
As part of the ongoing renovations in 2000 a Chinese Picture Gallery was created and is the only museum gallery in Great Britain that is devoted to Chinese Artists. The gallery was designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects.
The Sackler Library was opened in 2001. This is collection of Archaeological, Art History and Classical Civilization books only and has given the Museum more space to expand.
During 2006-2009 the Museum was closed for a massive regeneration. Two new floors were added, this gave the Museum much more display space as well as a new education centre and conservation studios.
Subsequently there have been new galleries of Ancient Egypt and Nubia. A collection of Victorian Art and an extension to the restored ‘Ruskin Gallery’
In 2017 the Museum acquired a Viking Hoard with examples of fine coins. As you can probably be aware there is much of the story to tell but I think this is enough for now, just to say it is definitely well worth a visit.
Ashmolean Museum -Oxford, Oxfordshire - 06-10-2018 (47)A
The Ashmolean Museum
Situated in Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH
There was a previous building housing ‘a Cabinet of Curiosities’ as far back as the late 1670’s. These items were given to the University of Oxford by Elias Ashmole in 1677.
That building was erected between 1678-1683 and was in Broad Street, Oxford. Much of the collection was acquired from John Tradescant the elder and younger. They were father and son travellers, collectors and gardeners. One unique item that they had sold was a Dodo, possibly the last ever seen in Europe, but it was so damaged, all that could be recovered was the head and one claw. This exhibit now resides in the University Museum of Natural History. Other notable artefacts include Guy Fawkes Lantern, a wall hanging of Powhatan, the Father of Pocahontas and Jacob’s coat of many colours although this has been lost. This building is now the History of Science Museum.
The current building in Beaumont Street was erected between 1841-1845 and was designed by Charles Cockerell. It appears that a large part of the collection either went missing or was damaged so Sir Arthur Evans was appointed in 1884 to restructure the Museum and with donations from Charles Fortnum of cash of £10,000, a considerable sum also his collection of antiques he was able to turn around the fortunes of the museum. A new extension was built and the collection was moved there. In 1908 the Ashmolean collection and University Galleries were combined, the new title being the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. Evans himself bought to the museum specimens of archaeology from diggings in Crete. He also retired in 1908.
Other notable donations include £1,000 from C B Heberden which helped to create a coin room. In 2012 a grant of $1.1m was awarded to enable teaching and research of the University.
As part of the ongoing renovations in 2000 a Chinese Picture Gallery was created and is the only museum gallery in Great Britain that is devoted to Chinese Artists. The gallery was designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects.
The Sackler Library was opened in 2001. This is collection of Archaeological, Art History and Classical Civilization books only and has given the Museum more space to expand.
During 2006-2009 the Museum was closed for a massive regeneration. Two new floors were added, this gave the Museum much more display space as well as a new education centre and conservation studios.
Subsequently there have been new galleries of Ancient Egypt and Nubia. A collection of Victorian Art and an extension to the restored ‘Ruskin Gallery’
In 2017 the Museum acquired a Viking Hoard with examples of fine coins. As you can probably be aware there is much of the story to tell but I think this is enough for now, just to say it is definitely well worth a visit.