British Museum – North American Plains Warriors

African Money, Medals and Stamps, Chinese Prints and More for 2010

Nov 11, 2009 Frances Spiegel

BM shows for 2010 include displays of African money, medals and stamps, Chinese prints, 200 years of Plains Indian warrior history and Asahi Shimbun Objects in Focus.

The British Museum is preparing a host of new exhibitions for 2010 which will include:

• Warriors of the Plains: 200 years of Native North American honour and ritual
• Impressions of Africa: money, medals and stamps
• The printed image in China from the 8th to the 21st centuries
• The Asahi Shimbun Displays: Objects in focus

Warriors of the Plains – 200 Years of Native North American Honour and Ritual

This exhibition will explore the life of the Plains Indians from 1800 to the present day. The show will explore the warriors' highly developed martial skills and their code of honour and behaviour. The display will examine the importance of the warrior legacy for the modern Native American identity.

On display will be rarely seen items from the British Museum’s collections including weapons, military and ceremonial costumes and accessories, hides and drawings.

• Warriors of the Plains... will be on view from 7th January – 5th April 2010

Impressions of Africa: Money, Medals and Stamps

In 1960 seventeen African countries achieved independence from colonial rule. Fifty years later celebrations throughout 2010 will mark the anniversary.

To coincide with the anniversary the British Museum will mount a small display of African coins, banknotes, medals, stamps and seals created during the past 100 years. Each item, a miniature work of art in its own right, reflects the history and culture of Africa and its many different populations.

These miniature art works reflect changing national identities, and celebrate the cultures and heritage of Africa and its people. This display is part of London 2010: Festival of Stamps, a year-long programme of exhibitions, activities and events to mark the centenary of the accession of George V, known as the philatelist king.

• Impressions of Africa... will be on display from 1st April – 14th November 2010

The Printed Image in China from the 8th to the 21st Centuries

The Chinese invented paper making and printing hundreds of years before it was known in Europe. This exhibition examines the history of printing from its invention to the present day.

The exhibition will feature Buddhist prints from the Silk Road, imperial engravings, images showing folk rituals and festivals and modern anti-war woodcuts.

• The Printed image in China... will be on view from 6th May – 5th September 2010

The Asahi Shimbun Displays: Objects in focus

The Asahi Shimbun Display is a programme of rotating exhibitions focusing on a single object or theme. The display features important items from the Museum’s collections. Since opening in 2005 the AS Display has attracted more than two million visitors.

The AS Display for 2010 will focus on items featured in the British Museum/BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 Objects.

Highlights of the 2010 displays will include The Swimming Reindeer, a 13,000 year old piece of stunning Ice-Age art, carved from the tip of a Mammoth tusk.

Another important piece is an Asante-style drum from West Africa, one of the earliest known surviving African-American objects. It was originally acquired for Sir Hans Sloane whose collection led to the founding of the British Museum.

Further information about forthcoming shows can be obtained from the British Museum. Telephone +44 (0) 20 7323 8299. Tickets can be booked direct: +44 (0)20 7323 8181.

The British Museum has many other fixed and touring exhibitions in preparation. British Museum – Leonardo da Vinci Coming Soon outlines more exhibitions at the British Museum.

The copyright of the article British Museum – North American Plains Warriors in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish British Museum – North American Plains Warriors in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

British Museum View from the End of Malet Street

Plains Indians Saddle