THE mysteries of the Orient are to be revealed in a two day celebration of Chinese art this weekend.

 

For the first time, Scotland's oldest auction house Lyon & Turnbull is to collaborate with the Burrell Collection in a unique fund-raising event.

On Saturday, lovers of Chinese art will be able to enjoy specialist lectures and a guided tour of the artefacts in the Burrell storeroom.

And on Sunday there will be a chance to have your own antiques or artwork valued by experts including top specialists from the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

Proceeds from the events will be donated to support Glasgow Museums and the Burrell Collection, helping to preserve the treasures for future generation.

Chinese art, which has become the 21st century's most rapidly developing sector, was close to the heart of Sir William Burrell who amassed a substantial collection.

On Saturday, visitors will be shown the works of art in the Burrell store by Dr Yupin Chung, the museum's curator of Chinese and Far Eastern civilisations.

The Chinese born expert came to the UK in the 1990s and started work as curator in the Burrell in 2009.

She is responsible for more than 2000 items including ceramics, bronzes and jade, some of which dates back 5000 years.

Burrell bought most of his collection between 1910 and 1950 and obtained the best possible quality he could from a range of dealers and Chinese collectors.

Ms Chung said: "The quality of the items is comparable to what is in the British Museum so they are of national and international importance.

"It is the only complete Chinese collection in the country because a lot of collectors decided to give different pieces to different museums.

"Burrell collected the items in this country because London was an important market for Chinese art and also went to India but at that time, it would have been very hard for him to get into China.

"He spent quite a lot of his time reading collection catalogues and had a good network of dealers."

Ms Chung insists she likes every piece in the collection but when pushed, admits her favourite is a priceless blue and white Ming vase.

She said: "As a curator I shouldn't have a favourite because each piece has its own story to tell.

"But some of the pieces are extremely rare and we have a really early blue and white Ming vase from 15th century Imperial China which is one of only four in the world.

"One is in Osaka in Japan, one in Shanghai in China and one in a private collection in America.

"I will be happy to share my research with the audience on Saturday and also our real masterpieces in the Burrell."

Only 12 places are available and anyone who buys a ticket to a series of lectures on Saturday called China Insight will be entered into the draw.

The results of the raffle will be announced when the weekend event opens at 11am.

The lecture programme will feature leading specialists from the Chinese art world and will cover Chinese Imperial and court costumes and Chinese paintings. The cost of a day ticket is £10.

On Sunday, valuation tables will be set up in the Burrell Collection where members of the public can take their own art and antiques to be appraised.

Lee Young and Steven Moore from the Antiques Roadshow will head the team of specialists from Lyon & Turnbull.

Their expertise covers not only Chinese and Japanese works of art but jewellery, silver, paintings and ceramics. All items, regardless of where they come from, will be seen.

Mr Young, head of the Asian art department at Lyon & Turnbull said: "It is always a exciting day for us as we never know what we are going to see and the discoveries we are going to make.

"While the weekend will celebrate Chinese art, our expertise on Sunday will not be limited to this one discipline and we are delighted to be able to offer valuations for all manner of art and antiques."

People will be charged £5 for the first item appraised and £1 for each subsequent item with proceeds going to Glasgow Museums.

Glasgow Life chairman Archie Graham said: "This promises to be a fascinating weekend where not only can you find out more about Chinese art - one of Sir William's greatest interests - but there will be special tours and an opportunity to find out if that old

painting or trinket in the attic is actually a lost treasure.

"We are delighted to be working with Lyon & Turnbull on this event at a time when the city has just committed to the next step in transforming the Burrell Collection with a major refurbishment and redisplay of the gallery, creating a home worthy of the world-class status of Sir William's incredible gift."

Tickets for the lectures and a chance to tour the storeroom are available at the Burrell or by phoning 0141 287 2591.