Museum receives (more than) 30 pieces of silver

A collection of Renaissance silver bequeathed to the Ashmolean Museum by antique dealer Michael Wellby will go on display at this month. 

The treasure trove of nearly 500 items, one of the most important gifts to a British museum for over a century, is worth many millions of pounds and includes a rare lapis lazuli bowl made by Dutch goldsmith Paulus van Vianen (pictured below).

Another highlight is a silver gilt pitcher made in Portugal around 1510-15, enamelled with the Royal Arms of Portugal. A collection of silver gilt objects is pictured above.

Professor Tim Wilson, keeper of the department of western art, says: 'This is the most important acession of objects of this sort to any UK museum since the bequest of objects from Waddesdon Manor by Ferdinand Rothschild to the British Museum in 1898.'

Mr Wellby, who died last year, was an art dealer specialising in German silver of the 16th and 17th centuries.

His gift is a huge boost to the Ashmolean's collections and the visitors will also reap the benefits, as a selection of the objects will go on temporary display in the museum's West Meets East gallery on 19 February, before the entire collection is showcased in a permanent gallery.