The return of ivories in China Year

mmortals, Emperors, Legendary Monks, Tigers, Dragons, and a Hermit...some unique collection of antique Chinese ivories are returning to Graves Art Gallery for a limited period only in 2008.

"China is the most important issue this year, more important than anything else because of the Olympic Games," said Clare Starkie, the Curator of Decorative Art in Museum Sheffield, "there are 26 museums in Yorkshire doing Chinese exhibitions over the spring to summer in China Year, giving people a great chance to touch the historic and cultural quintessence in the oriental world."

Yuefei, a famous general in Song dynasty, Xuanzang, a legendary dignitary in Tang Dynasty, a variety of vases and exquisite hand-carvings of antique Chinese ivories creates a miniature world.

"There are 34 objects being displayed in our gallery out of the 250 in the collection in the stall. All these cool objects are dating as far back as the 16th Century, opening a fascinating window on Chinese culture," she said the "mysterious oriental exhibition" is always quite popular with people in the city.

It is called "The Return of Ivories" because the collection of Chinese ivories was displayed at the Graves gallery in 1930s and 1990s. "It is very popular collection and people always ask where it has gone and why it is not displayed any more," Clare said, it is "such a good time" to display the collection in China Year.

The exhibition is partly funded by Heritage Lottery and in cooperation with the Chinese Community as well. "That is why we have other activities for our visitors as well, " she said, "like China Tuesday, that is teaching people to make Lanterns, Chinese Masks, and to write Chinese calligraphy. "

Chinese Community Centre Evergreen Ages Well Lunch Group which is aChinese senior citizens group has come to gallery and talked about what the ivories meant to them. "Like General Yuefei repelled the Jim Army and the story of Guanyin."

"They produced a memory book saying how they came from China to Sheffield and what they thought about some of the objects in the gallery," she said.

There is also a group of young people about 11 to 16 picking up some ancient mottos and writing stories about it as well as doing art work on canvas.

All the collection has been researched and photographed. The whole collection isgoing to go onto the museum website early in next year.

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