Celebrate Royal Ascot with the impressive new Equestrian product collections at The British Museum

Announcing an exclusive new product range in celebration of the British Museum’s exhibition ‘The horse: from Arabia to Royal Ascot’

To mark the Diamond Jubilee the British Museum is presenting an exhibition exploring 5,000 years of the history of the horse through fascinating artifacts and stunning artworks. HM Queen Elizabeth II is the Royal Patron and has lent some beautiful pieces from the Royal Collection. In celebration of this new exhibition a stunning range of ceramics, jewelry and home wares have been specially selected to accompany this unique display and offer visitors and collectors the opportunity to take home quality artworks.

Made to order Art Print of ‘Childers the Fleetest Horse that Ever run at Newmarket’ – from £20 – available mounted and in a choice of frames.

A racehorse (according to the inscription: Childers – the fleetest horse that ever run at Newmarket) shown galloping to the left across a field, ridden by a groom wearing a cap and frock coat. This particular print is from a set of 12 after Seymour. Shown in a rococco etched frame, with inscription below. Hand-coloured mezzotint and etching, 1755.

Son of Flying Childers 1702-52 – Art Print – from £20

The horse depicted in this art print, believed to be Flying Childers, shows the infamous 18th century racing horse as painted by James Seymour, 1702-52, ‘Flying Childers’, with groom. Flying Childers was sired by the great Darley Arabian, one of the three Arabian foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed, and was thought to be one of the best racehorses of his generation, undefeated in all of his races.

One of the most sensational products in this new range, in celebration of the horse, are these incredible Limoges plates, with double gold inlay around the edge of each, available in the Grenville Room in the Museum. The artisans of Fradkof, Paris are amongst the best in the world of Limoges Porcelain. The purity, colour and exclusive relief design application are a true testimony to their incredible art. Each plate is manufactured by hand with exquisite quality. Each gift box is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered. Michelange Fradkof has created sumptuous compositions using the most delicate and transparent porcelains of LIMOGES. Michelange is known for her unique pieces and appreciated by connoisseurs throughout the world.

Each plate – £1,950.00.

Where better to buy heirloom collectables to hand down through the generations, than from the British Museum? A magnificent example of one of the pieces in the retail collection that perfectly fits this brief is every child’s dream – a traditional steel grey dapple rocking horse, based on a real dressage horse with longer saddle flaps and knee rolls. Made from oak with the grain showing through the paint work makes it look like a real coat on a real horse – something that every nursery should have. Black tack and light saddle cloth compliment the realism. This unique item will become a family treasure, to be enjoyed for years to come. Price: £6,950.00.

Another example of childhood nostalgia, a piece that creates and has the power to evoke memories, is this gorgeous wooden musical box, made by craftsmen who hand down their own work through family generations.

During the 1940s, Orlando Ercolano’s grandfather established a small craft workshop, where he then taught his son Giuseppe the love for the traditional work of inlaid wood designs. As his father inspired him, Giuseppe decided to attend art school and he prolonged the workshop, thus, developing it into a factory. Presently, Mr. Orlando Ercolano is the company owner.

The craft of in-laid woodwork is an art form. In Sorrento, Italy, the art is handed down from generation to generation following hundreds of years of tradition. To make an inlaid-wood object means to lock pieces of thin wood of different colours and qualities together in order to obtain a colour contrast or image. A variety of woods are used including maple-tree, walnut and dark mahogany. The craftsman traces the motifs to be cut and lays them out on the different woods to be inlaid – the natural grain of the wood has to be taken into consideration. The shapes are then intricately cut and pieced together on the wood in which they are to be inlaid. The woods are applied to the surface using eureka, viiniliche or fish glues. Each piece is then carefully polished in different stages to create a beautiful item. Price: £150.

The British Museum Shop, both at the Museum and online, sells stylish ranges carefully chosen to reflect the permanent treasures and temporary exhibitions at the British Museum.  The British Museum is the most popular visitor attraction in the UK and the British Museum Shop is established as a highly popular destination for shoppers and collectors alike offering high quality and a wide range of gifts, books, jewellry, and artworks.

www.britishmuseumshoponline.org