The Ashmolean opened its doors on 21 May 1683, making it Britain's first public museum. It now ranks as one of the world's greatest collections of art and archaeology with an extraordinary range of objects from prehistory to the present day, spanning Antiquities, Western and Eastern Art, Coins and Casts. This volume is divided into sections by media or object type, with each section ordered chronologically. Many objects have never been highlighted before and almost one in ten have been acquired since 2009, clearly demonstrating the Museum's continuing mission to add to its collections. Contents: Foreword; A History of the Museum; Sculpture; Applied Arts; Textiles. Jewellery & Gems; Musical Instruments; Currency & Medals; Documents & Inscribed Objects; Photographs; and; Prints. It also includes Drawings & Watercolours; Paintings; Further Reading; and; Index.