The project will transform the Museum for the 21st century, opening up new public spaces, providing new facilities, restoring the Museum’s beautiful building and displaying its internationally important collections more effectively
The opening of Ancient Egypt Rediscovered coincides with the 200th anniversary of the first ancient Egyptian objects entering National Museum of Scotland’s collections, which attract three million visitors every year. The gallery explores how this civilisation has evolved across more than 4,000 years of history and outstanding objects include the only intact royal burial group outside of Egypt, a Great Pyramid casing block and a block cast of the original Rosetta Stone discovered in 1799. The Rosetta Stone cast is one of the four original plaster casts produced in 1802 and sent to Universities in Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Dublin for experts to decipher. The one on display came to National Museums Scotland from the University of Edinburgh and was rediscovered during an assessment of the ancient Egypt collections in preparation for the new gallery.
Ancient Egypt Rediscovered, Exploring East Asia (both next to each other on level 5) and the Art of Ceramics (level 2) present ‘internationally significant collections in compelling and inspiring ways’. More than 1,300 objects have been selected for the galleries, 40% of which go on display for the first time in generations. During the course of the 15-year transformation project the museum has added 29 new galleries showcasing 13,000 objects.
The museum building dates back to 1861 when the foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert for a new Museum building, then named the Industrial Museum of Scotland although its roots go back to 1780 – the height of the Enlightenment – with the formation of The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. In 1998 a dramatic modernist building was added to the museum and houses collections telling Scotland’s history from earliest times to the present day.
As part of the masterplan stairs, lifts and escalators were installed to make it easier for people to get around the museum and many of the original architectural features were reintroduced after being buried under modern additions such as old archways which had been bricked up.
The new Exploring East Asia gallery celebrates the dynamic cultures of China, Japan and Korea, displaying their diverse traditions, peoples and histories with 65 objects newly acquired since 2016. The National Museum of Scotland says its East Asia collections are among the most important in the UK and represent over a century and a half of continuous collecting. Highlights include a Chinese lacquerware rice measure from the Ming dynasty, samurai armour and a rare and important Korean lotus-shaped cup and stand from the 13th century.
The Art of Ceramics unites themes from across the collections of National Museums Scotland, which celebrates the creativity and diversity reflected in pieces from across the world and over a broad time period, from the 19th century BC to the 21st century AD.
Truly historic
“This is a truly historic moment in the life of a great museum. The transformation of this iconic Victorian building on time and on budget is an achievement of which the nation can be rightly proud,” said Bruce Minto, Chair of National Museums Scotland. “Our outstanding collections help us to tell a vast range of diverse and fascinating stories from across the globe highlighting the many Scots involved in invention, innovation and discovery. These stories have engaged our many supporters who have given generously to help us achieve our ambitions and to whom I am extremely grateful.”
The opening of the new galleries is supported by a national programme of activity to extend their reach and impact to partner museums across Scotland, by sharing collections, knowledge and expertise. The first local East Asia exhibition has already run at Perth Museum and Art Gallery (26 May to 27 October 2018) and revealed a rare Korean robe dating from the 19th Century, one of only two in the UK. Three further East Asia displays, supported by digital resources, learning resources and a skills development programme will take place at the University of Aberdeen from March to 23 August, Kirkcudbright Galleries from March to June and Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries from August to November.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland, who spearheaded the transformation project in 2004, said: “Over the past 15 years we have worked tirelessly to transform this wonderful building, to rediscover our extensive and outstanding collections and to create fresh and inspirational visitor experiences. The result is the creation of a world-class museum for the enjoyment of national and international visitors today and for many generations to come.”
This £3.6m phase of the project has been made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, the Sir James Miller Edinburgh Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Negaunee Foundation and a generous community of Trusts and individual donors. (The total £80m transformation has been supported with £26m of funding from the Scottish Government and almost £24m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.)
