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Exhibitions and events

32 events

Pieces of paper laid out on the floor on top of each other.

Artists making books: poetry to politics
. Free .

This intriguing new show explores the history of artists taking on the medium of books.

Ink and colour picture showing the head and shoulders of an elderly Chinese woman with her hair tied back. She is wearing green earings and a blue jacket decorated with gold leaves around the neck.

China’s hidden century
. Sold out .

In a global first, the resilience and innovation of 19th-century China is revealed through the stories of its remarkable individuals.

A drawing of two apples on a branch, surrounded by deep green leaves

The genius of nature: botanical drawings by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues
. Free .

Revel in the beauty of nature at this display of works by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues – one of the most gifted botanical artists of his age...

Dark red ants gather in a cluster on a peach-coloured background.

Ed Ruscha: roads and insects
. Free .

From life-sized depictions of insects to rusting road signs and the stretching highway, discover the work of the American artist Ed Ruscha.

Three figures and upon an ancient scroll.

Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies
. Coming soon .

A masterpiece of early Chinese figure painting, from the fifth to seventh century AD, displayed annually at the British Museum.

A black textile adorned with a colourful scene, including sitting figures surrounded by trees, a figure shooting an arrow towards the sky, and Hanuman flying through the air carrying a rock, Hanuman (possibly carrying the Mountain of Herbs or Building the Bridge to Lanka), and Hanuman talking to a sage (with two hares below).

Burma to Myanmar
. Book now .

Journeying through 1,500 years of cultural and political change, this exhibition charts a story of trade, faith and empire at the crossroads...

Eight vertical pieces of a large framed map lined up next to each other as in the original. The map is light and dark blue.

Members' exclusive

7 Oct 2023

Members' early morning viewing of China's hidden century
. Members free .

Enjoy early morning access to China's hidden century, exclusive to British Museum Members.

Ivory chess pieces on a black background with shadow in front

Gallery talks & tours / Members' exclusive

9 Oct 2023 – 16 Oct 2023

Members' welcome tour
. Fully booked .

Explore highlights of the British Museum in this illuminating free 90-minute tour, exclusively for Members.

Watercolour drawing of three stuffed giraffes and a rhinoceros in an ornate room while visitors in period dress tilt their heads back looking up at them.

Gallery talks & tours / Members' exclusive

10 Oct 2023 – 19 Oct 2023

Members' tour of the Archive
. Sold out .

Explore the Archive in this exclusive Members' tour.

Limestone false door with panelled walls, featuring hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Gallery talks & tours / Members' exclusive

£35 (Members)
11 Oct 2023

Torchlight tour: reading Egyptian monuments
. Sold out .

Guided by torchlight, discover life in ancient Egypt in this after-hours tour exploring hieroglyphs in the Egyptian sculpture gallery.

Relief showing a protective spirit carrying a deer and a palm branch.

Gallery talks & tours / Members' exclusive

11 Oct 2023

Torchlight tour: Assyria and the supernatural world
. Sold out .

Uncover the gods, monsters and supernatural beings of the Assyrian world in this after-hours gallery tour led by torchlight.

Pair of intricately carved and painted wooden door panels, each panel decorated with five scenes of human figures set against a patterned background.

Gallery talks & tours / Members' exclusive

£35 (Members)
12 Oct 2023

Members' tour of Africa galleries
. Book now .

Explore the history and culture of Africa in this curator-led tour exclusively for Members.