North Devon treasures returning home this summer for major new exhibition

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is bringing together some of the most precious objects from North Devon’s past for a major summer exhibition, which opens this Saturday (July 19).

Treasures of North Devon will include beautiful objects brought back to the regions from the collections of prestigious institutions, which will include treasures from the British Museum and the V&A in London.

In addition to generous loans from such internationally-recognised institutions, the exhibition will also feature rarely-seen objects normally housed locally in churches and other buildings as well as the museum’s own stores.

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Treasures of North Devon will include some of the best silverware, ceramics, books and archaeological finds - from prehistory through to mediaeval times and beyond.

John Stokes, Dorset Foundation Head of National Programmes at the British Museum, said: “We are delighted to lend these remarkable artefacts from the British Museum collection to the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon.

“The British Museum is deeply committed to sharing the collection as widely as possible and we are pleased to support regional colleagues in creating opportunities for visitors to connect to the history of their area first-hand through exceptional objects.

“This exhibition highlights the importance of national loans, sharing national collections to tell a story which is so wholly of North Devon.”

Alison Mills, Director of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, added: “Bringing these objects back to North Devon was one of our ambitions when we extended the museum with high quality galleries in 2019.

“We hope as many people as possible will grab their chance to see these treasures while they're in North Devon.”

This collaboration with the British Museum and the V&A helps consolidate the growing reputation of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, which last year curated the exhibition entitled Turner in Barnstaple. It also places Barnstaple and North Devon on the map in terms of bringing nationally significant exhibitions to local audiences.

Treasures of North Devon runs until October 11. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm and entrance is free.

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