REVIEW: Made in China, The Willis Museum, Basingstoke

The Willis Museum, Market Place

Until April 4, 2015 

THIS British Museum tour will only visit four UK venues, including our own Willis Museum at the Top of the Town.

It offers a fantastic opportunity to see some terrific examples of the infamous blue and white Ming china right here in Basingstoke, in addition to investigating its legacy and influence on producers elsewhere, including England. 

The Chinese Ming dynasty, which lasted from 1368-1644, saw one family rule over a vast population.

The porcelain produced during the period was hugely influential, appearing on these shores from the 1500s onwards and becoming “a fixture” by the 1700s. 

For example, in one exhibit, the leaf-shaped motif known as the Ruyi is depicted on the Chinese original and then on a later Staffordshire tile. 

Informative panels explain that there was an “exchange of ideas between China and Europe”, and there are lots of artefacts on show as further evidence, including bowls, teapots and tea bowls.     

At its centre is a huge spotlight Ming vase over 50cm tall, one of 22 porcelains donated to the British Museum by its trustee Sir John Addis, who was himself a passionate collector. It is the largest of its kind in the British Museum’s collection.

The exhibits, which also include a large stitched wall panel, a 1750 ivory cricket cage and Manchu shoes from c1900, are supported by specially made films by Jeremy Millar, which explore the vase’s heritage and origin.

There’s also some interesting content about the people for whom this china became an obsessive passion.

Collector George Eumorfopoulos (1863-1939) had so much oriental art that he added a two storey extension to his home in order to accommodate it!

The following complementary activities will run in the museum:

Thursday, February 19: Chinese New Year art workshop (10am-1pm), traditional dance demonstration (11am) and martial art demonstration (12pm).

Friday, February 20: Family clay workshop (11am-1pm). Make your own mini version of the vase, which will be glaze-fired. £5 per person, suitable for ages five and over.

Tuesday, February 24: An introduction to Chinese culture by Anita Ho (7.30pm-9pm). £5 per person.

Thursday, March 12: Chinese brush painting and calligraphy workshop (11am – 4.30pm) with Angela Reich, chair of the National Chinese Brush Painters Society. £40 / £30 / £20.

To find out more about any of these events, or to book your place, call 01256 465902.