Bologna, important nucleus of oriental art donated to Civic Museums

Important donation for the Civic Museums of Bologna ’s collections of Ancient Art acquires a valuable new collector’s nucleus of 146 objects and works of Oriental art that belonged to collector Norman Jones (1903 - 1985) and donated by his daughter Ruth, an English lecturer living in Bologna, to enable their wider enjoyment by the public and scholars. The largest part of the eclectic collection consists of 68 examples of Japanese ukiyo-e prints from the 18th and 19th centuries by some of the best-known and most celebrated artists of the Edo period such as Kitagawa Utamaro, Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige. The items will be stored at the Medieval Civic Museum, where they will be studied and catalogued in anticipation of being displayed in an exhibition planned for 2024.

Norman Jones was born in Africa to an English family in 1903. He spent his early youth in London and on the Isle of Wight, later completing his studies at St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge, with a BA in History. He spent most of his working life as an elementary school teacher in Harrogate, Yorkshire County, where he died in 1985. During his university years he developed a passion for collecting exotic Oriental objects, books and photographs, becoming a frequent visitor to antique stores in London, Cambridge, York and Harrogate.

Following the acceptance authorized by resolution of the Bologna City Council, this substantial artistic heritage, estimated at a total value of 64,116 euros, is included in the permanent collections of the Bologna Civic Museums Sector, going to enrich with new pieces of significant interest the similar collections related tooriental art already present at the Museo Civico Medievale and the Museo del Tessuto e della Tappezzeria “Vittorio Zironi.” In particular, the Museo Civico Medievale is the location identified for the future preservation of the works, which, compatibly with the programming of the museum institution itself, will be displayed in such a way as to allow the widest possible enjoyment by the public and scholars.

Norman Jones’ eclectic collection includes textiles, sculpture, miniatures, prints, drawings and watercolors from a variety of sources. Along with a small nucleus of 18th-19th century Indian miniatures, the series of Chinese objects dating back to the Qing dynasty (embroidered textiles, mandarin squares, sculptures, watercolors) and the series of Japanese works (18th-20th centuries) stand out especially. The latter includes some pieces of considerable artistic value as documented by the series of amber and wood netsuke, including one initialed, depicting death assaulting a wolf.

The largest part of the donation, as mentioned, consists of 68 specimens of Japanese ukiyo-e prints from the 18th and 19th centuries by some of the best-known and most celebrated artists of the Edo period. Indeed, there are works by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825), UtagawaToyohiro (1773-1828), Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), Kikukawa Eizan (1787-1867) and Utagawa Kuiyoshi (1798-1861), among others. Among the most unique Japanese objects is the beautiful geisha cushion with drawers and everyday objects dating from the late Edo period (second half of the 19th century).

“The donation of this valuable collection, due to the sensitive generosity of Ruth Jones,” emphasizes Eva Degl’Innocenti, director of the Bologna Civic Museums Sector, “increases the cultural heritage of the Bologna Civic Museums Sector through the Museo Civico Medievale in are preserved the 146 donated objects and works of art that will be studied(also thanks to the collaboration of the Center for the Study of Far Eastern Art), catalogued, exhibited and enhanced to enable the widest possible enjoyment by scholars and visitors and sharing with all types of audiences.”

“After the donation of the rich and valuable collection of ancient glass by Liana Cappagli Serretti in 2020,” comments Massimo Medica, director of the Musei Civici d’ Arte Antica, “the Musei Civici d’Arte Antica, a few years later see their holdings once again increase through the new and important donation by Ruth Jones - an Englishwoman for years transplanted to Bologna - including a very significant collection of objects and works of oriental art, formed by her father Norman Jones. This is certainly a gesture of great importance, which highlights the appreciation and trust shown towards Bologna’s civic museums, which have long been committed to enhancing, also through collaboration with the Centro Studi d’Arte Estremo-Orientale, their extra-European and in particular Oriental collections.”

Pictured: Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Tsuchiyama: General Tamura and the Demon of the Suzuka Mountains, from the series 53 pairings along the Tokaido Road (Tokaidō gojūsan tsui), 1845-1846, station number 50, polychrome woodcut

Bologna, important nucleus of oriental art donated to Civic Museums

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.