Ashmolean Museum acquires Renaissance Silverware

A superb collection of Renaissance silverware worth millions of pounds has been bequeathed to Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. Nearly 500 items, described as the most important gift to a British museum for over a century, were donated by the late collector Michael Wellby. Included is a rare lapis lazuli bowl, made by Dutch goldsmith Paulus van Vianen, valued at £3m.

A selection of the objects will go on temporary display from next month. They will be housed in the museum's West Meets East gallery before the entire collection is showcased in a permanent gallery.

Ashmolean Museum website