Collections

Neolitihic coiled jade dragon

The Museum’s Department of Asia holds the Museum’s collection of around 23,000 Chinese artefacts, which covers the whole range of Chinese art and spans the entire span of the country’s history. It includes about 5,000 prints and drawings, 900 jades, 3,000 bronzes, 8,000 ceramics and about 500 decorative art objects.

Among the most notable objects are two famous inscribed Western Zhou (1050-770 BC) bronzes, the Admonitions Scroll and the silk paintings and other treasures from Dunhuang and Central Asia.

Coins, medals and paper money from China are held by the Department of Coins and Medals (C&M), including the earliest Chinese coins, coin-shaped amulets, hell money, and a a fine collection of Mao badges.

Galleries

The Joseph E Hotung Gallery: China, South & Southeast Asia (Room 33)

Chinese Jade (Room 33b)

Money Gallery (Room 68)

The British Museum's Early Imperial China website

Objects From China On The British Museum Website