‘Burrell at Bonhams – An exhibition of masterpieces from the Burrell Collection, Glasgow’, Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London W1, 15th December 2014 – 9th January, 2015.

Ceremonial Oak Bedhead made for the marriage of King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleeves (1539)

It comes as a surprise to think that it was in 1983 that the Burrell Collection opened in its specially designed building in Pollok Country Park and now is in need of a major refurbishment and redisplay.

Stained glass panel Prophet Jeremiah – France (place of manufacture) – 13th century coloured glass

The collection, which took Sir William Burrell some eighty years to create, has over nine thousand objects (antiquities, objects, tapestries and paintings) in it and ranks highly among the world’s great personal collections. When Sir William and his wife gave the collection to the City of Glasgow in 1944 he specified that items were not to be loaned for exhibition overseas, since as a shipping magnate he was aware of the possibility of damage in transit. It therefore took a bill approved by the Scottish Parliament in January of this year to allow for the first international tour, of which this exhibition is the prelude.

Wine ewer China; Jingdezhen (place of manufacture)
Ming Dynasty – 15th Century

There are forty-five star items on show, including a 1632 Rembrandt self-portrait, Cezanne’s Chateau of Medan, and the bed head of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves, dated 1539, whose decoration includes erotic scenes. Other outstanding pieces are the falconry set of James IV and a Korean Celadon tea bowl. I can only recommend this show to you and suggest that you make an effort to see these wonderful items.

The Beach at Trouville; the Empress Eugenie
Boudin, Eugène Louis (1824 – 1898; French)

Opening times:
15 December 2014 to 9 January 2015, 9.00am-5.30pm
(Closed weekends and from 24 December – 4 January)
Admission is free.
#BurrellatBonhams

Fluted plate armour Germany; South Germany; Nuremberg; possibly (place of manufacture) circa 1515

http://www.bonhams.com
http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/…/burrell-collection

Enamelled copper dish. Made in Venice; Italy; 15th century