Sights at the British Museum

9-10th July 2011. Written by Xin Li.
London, United Kingdom.
Continuing from the last post, this is a pictorial featuring the British Museum.

This huge museum has plenty to see hence I recommending leaving at least 1 day for the museum.

Due to the immense number of works displayed the museum, you might experience museum-fatigue if you plan to spend the whole day at the museum,

Break up the visit into two days if you can.

The famous Elgin marbles.

One of the works that caught my eye at the British Museum is a work by Xu Bing featured in a temporary exhibition. Xu Bing's works were also displayed at the first Singapore Biennale. For more information of the work, watch this video here.

The work, entitled Background Story 7 appears to be a tall 5 metres tall Chinese painting but it is in fact shadows created by a mixture of materials as you take a look at the back of the work.

If you are lucky there are booths such as these for you to have some hands on time with the artifacts. Featured here is money including Bronze Age Chinese currency as well as modern day banknotes.

Above: Exhibits from the Greek and Roman Worlds.

The Japan Gallery is quite small with quite a few of replicas along with actual artifacts and relics. However, there are a few interesting exhibits such as a set of Japanese armor and a clock that belongs to a daimyo (a feudal lord).

Jingdezhen porcelain from China.

Chinese porcelain made for Europeans.

The Enlightenment Room introduces the background of the British Museum.

While you are exploring the museum, do look out for this avian visitor of the British Museum as well.

The British Museum is open daily, 10.00–17.30

Closure of galleries will start 10 minutes before
the published closing time:
Saturday – Thursday, 17.20
Friday, 20.20

The Museum is closed on
1 January, 24, 25, 26 December.

The Great Hall:
Saturday – Thursday, 09.00–18.00
Friday, 09.00–20.30 (except Good Friday)