Oriental Museum

Oriental Museum
Durham University
Elvet Hill
Durham
Durham
DH1 3TH
England

Website

Our website

www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

E-mail

All enquiries

oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

Telephone

All enquiries

0191 334 5694

Fax

0191 334 5694

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

The Oriental Museum is the only museum in the North of Britain devoted solely to the art and archaeology of the Orient. The remarkable collections reveal the great cultures of Asia; the Near and Middle East; and North Africa.

Highlights include the Chinese and Ancient Egyptian collections, which are Designated Collections of national importance.

Venue Type:

Museum

Opening hours

Mon - Fri 10.00-17.00
Sat - Sun 12.00-17.00

Closed: Between Christmas & New Year

Admission charges

Adults: £1.50
Children 5-16 and Over 60s: 75p
Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children): £3.50
Free on production of relevant ID: Friends of the Oriental Museum, students in higher education, Durham University staff, Armed Forces, MA and NACF members

General services and facilities

Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Cafeteria
Parking for coaches
Picnic area
Refreshments
Shop

Children and families

Events and resources for children and families
Baby changing facilities

Disability access

Touch exhibits
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to all public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan

Schools services and facilities

Direct teaching services for schools
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Education facilities available
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups

Research and adult learning

Adult lectures and courses held
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
Research facilities for academics
Study facilities

Commercial and hire services

Facilities for private functions and events

Additional info

See website for details

Oriental Museum
Durham University
Elvet Hill
Durham
Durham
DH1 3TH
England

Website

Our website

www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

E-mail

All enquiries

oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

Telephone

All enquiries

0191 334 5694

Fax

0191 334 5694

The Oriental Museum's collections number over 23,500 objects and range in date from prehistoric artefacts to contemporary arts. The collections cover the history and arts of the great cultures of Ancient Egypt, China, Japan, South and South East Asia and Islamic North Africa. The Chinese and Ancient Egyptian collections are Designated Collections of national importance.

The Egyptian collection is one of the best Egyptology resources in Britain. It ranges from the Pre-Dynastic to the Coptic periods in date and includes a wide selection of objects ranging from monumental sculpture to woven sandals. Numerous items of exceptional quality and international significance are included. Particular highlights are a unique 18th Dynasty boxwood carving of a Nubian servant girl; the 18th Dynasty polychrome sycamore boxes of Perpawty; and a fine 13th Dynasty granite statue of the vizier Paser.

The Chinese collection is one of the most comprehensive in Europe. It is a significant and representative collection of pieces from earlier dynasties as well as numerous fine examples from later dynasties. The museum recently purchased (2007) a portfolio of 60 contemporary Chinese prints, representing the work of many of China’s best contemporary printmakers.

Collection details

World Cultures, Weapons and War, Religion, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Archives, Archaeology

Key artists and exhibits

4th Duke of Northumberland's collection of Egyptian antiquities
Wellcome Collection of Ancient Egyptian objects
Malcolm MacDonald Collection of Chinese Ceramics
Sir Charles Hardinge Collection of Chinese jades and bronzes
Henry De Laszlo Collection Chinese Collection
Designated Collection

Collections services

Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Specialist publications on collections available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)

Oriental Museum
Durham University
Elvet Hill
Durham
Durham
DH1 3TH
England

Website

Our website

www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

E-mail

All enquiries

oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

Telephone

All enquiries

0191 334 5694

Fax

0191 334 5694

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.

Beyond the Great Wave, Hokusai, book illustration and the origins of manga

9 December 2011 — 27 May 2012 *on now

The print designer and painter Katsushika Hokusai is one of Japan's most well-known artists, world famous for works such as the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji including the iconic image The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Less well known is Hokusai's prolific output of illustrated books.

In later life Hokusai used the signature Gakyō rōjin, 'the old man mad about drawing'. During almost 70 years as an artist (he died in 1849 aged 89), Hokusai illustrated or contributed to more than 270 books. Some in colour, others in black and white, these books included works of fiction, poetry, erotica and instruction manuals for painters. This exhibition highlights the range of Hokusai's book illlustrations and includes some of earliest books to be referred to as 'manga'.

Suitable for

18+
16-17

Where

The Oriental Museum, Durham

Website

http://www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/exhibitions/current/

Oriental Museum
Durham University
Elvet Hill
Durham
Durham
DH1 3TH
England

Website

Our website

www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

E-mail

All enquiries

oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

Telephone

All enquiries

0191 334 5694

Fax

0191 334 5694

Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.

Japan

15 February 2012

Make a Japanese carrying pouch (Inro & Netsuke). Suitable for children aged 5-11 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Suitable for

Especially for children
5-6
7-10
Especially for children

When

1-3pm

Admission

Normal museum admission prices apply.

Ancient Egyptians

17 February 2012

Have fun at the Oriental Museum this afternoon and make an Egyptian Mummy.
Drop in craft session, suitable for children aged 5-11 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Suitable for

Especially for children
5-6
7-10

When

1-3pm

Where

Oriental Museum, DH1 3TH

Admission

Normal museum admission prices apply.

Website

http://www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/

Oriental Museum
Durham University
Elvet Hill
Durham
Durham
DH1 3TH
England

Website

Our website

www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

E-mail

All enquiries

oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

Telephone

All enquiries

0191 334 5694

Fax

0191 334 5694

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.

Face to face resources

Life in Ancient Egypt

A schools workshop looking at life in Ancient Egypt. The children make extensive use of our galleries and handling collection to explore the subject in depth. There is also the opportunity to participate in role play and mummify some fruit.
(Group size: normally 30 but more by arrangement; Duration: 4 hours including lunch; Level: KS2)

Creator

Durham University Museums and Special Collections

How to obtain

For information about booking a visit, please see our website - www.dur.ac.uk/4schools/indexpages/visits.html

Marvels of China

In this schools workshop session children will have the chance to participate in a wide range of activities from exloring the symbolism in Chinese art to having a go at producing their own scrolls. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in a gallery trail, handle original artefacts and engage in fun craft activities.
(Group size: normally up to 30 but larger classes by arrangement; Duration: 2-4 hours; Level: KS2)

Creator

Durham University Museums and Special Collections

Turning Japanese

This schools workshop session offers students the chance to experience a wide range of activities aimed at increading knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture. Activities include a gallery trail, making a Japanese kite, and origami. Schools can also combine this session with a visit to the nearby Botanic Garden to look at the plants that inspire Japanese art.
(Group size: noramlly one class but larger groups may be able to be accommodated; Duration: 2-4 hours; Level: KS2)

Creator

Durham University Museums and Special Collections

Paper-based and downloads

Treasures of the Oriental Museum, Durham University

On 30th June 2010 the Oriental Museum launched a major new publication to commemorate the Golden Jubilee. This book includes 50 short essays by curators, artists, students, researchers and collectors from the UK and around the world. Eash essay offers a different view on an object from the collections accompanied by all new colour photography of these stunning objects.