What's on in the area

The Oriental Museum

Daily

Cost: £1.50; children 75p; family £3.50

Hours: 10am-5pm (from 12pm Sat & Sun)

The Oriental Museum is the only museum of its kind in the United Kingdom, entirely devoted to art and archaeology from cultures throughout the Orient. The term Oriental is used as it was in the 19th century, to describe the civilisations of Asia and the Near East and the Islamic cultures of North Africa. The collections range from prehistoric Egypt and China to the work of living artists.

The Museum opened to the public in 1960 in the present building, built with funds from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. It is part of the University of Durham and serves as a teaching and research resource as well as being open to the public.

The Marvels of China gallery opened in October 2000, providing another exhibition space within the existing museum and the correct conditions to display many sensitive objects. It features selected pieces from the Museum's superb Chinese collections, including silk costumes and dress accessories, furniture, ivories, paintings and archaeological material.

The Oriental Museum