2-798-845 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New room at the British Museum, 1845. Visitors in the western wing of the British Museum in London, recently opened to the public: '...though the articles in the cases are scarcely yet arranged. In the centre of the apartment is placed the magnificent Chinese Bell, taken from a Buddhist Temple at Ningpo, and presented to the Museum by her Majesty [Queen Victoria]. On account of the present position of the Bell, the new apartment at the Museum has been called the "Chinese Room"; though, besides this spoil, there are but few curiosities of Celestial civilisation. Here will be found the specimens of South Sea manufacture which formerly filled the first of the old suite of the Museum Rooms...There are, likewise, several idols, happily becoming comparatively rare in the countries whence they were obtained.'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.