Grice Collection of Chinese Ivories
The Grice Collection of Chinese Ivories was donated to the city of Sheffield by JG Graves in 1939. It is still one of only two internationally known collections of Chinese ivories in the United Kingdom, and the only one held by a public museum.
This exceptional group of 154 skilfully carved objects is the result of one man's personal interest in an art form frequently overlooked by other Western collectors. Dr John Grice built up the collection whilst practising medicine in China during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Grice appears to have collected based largely on his personal taste and in 1937 he sold his collection to the Sheffield benefactor JG Graves. Graves hoped the collection would inspire the craftsmen of Sheffield’s own ivory carving industry. As a result the ‘Grice Ivories’, as they became known, were a regular feature of the Graves Gallery’s displays throughout the second half of the 20th Century and became much-loved by local visitors.
In 2008, a major exhibition at the Graves Gallery, The Return of the Ivories, allowed for conservation and a re-appraisal of the collection. A wealth of previously undiscovered information about the ivories was uncovered with the help of academic research and insights from Sheffield’s Chinese community. To find out more about the fascinating stories behind these wonderful objects, download a pdf of the book which accompanied the exhibition (also available to buy in Museums Sheffield shops).
A selection of key objects from the ivories collection will be available online later in 2011.
This exceptional group of 154 skilfully carved objects is the result of one man's personal interest in an art form frequently overlooked by other Western collectors. Dr John Grice built up the collection whilst practising medicine in China during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Grice appears to have collected based largely on his personal taste and in 1937 he sold his collection to the Sheffield benefactor JG Graves. Graves hoped the collection would inspire the craftsmen of Sheffield’s own ivory carving industry. As a result the ‘Grice Ivories’, as they became known, were a regular feature of the Graves Gallery’s displays throughout the second half of the 20th Century and became much-loved by local visitors.
In 2008, a major exhibition at the Graves Gallery, The Return of the Ivories, allowed for conservation and a re-appraisal of the collection. A wealth of previously undiscovered information about the ivories was uncovered with the help of academic research and insights from Sheffield’s Chinese community. To find out more about the fascinating stories behind these wonderful objects, download a pdf of the book which accompanied the exhibition (also available to buy in Museums Sheffield shops).
A selection of key objects from the ivories collection will be available online later in 2011.
