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About MEAA

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History

Our founder

Visitor resources

The founder of the Museum

BRIAN S. McELNEY, OBE.
An outline of his life as a collector and his founding of
The Museum of East Asian Art in Bath

Many of the objects in the Museum's collection were collected over many years by Brian S. McElney OBE, who also founded the Museum. The history of Brian's life, and the founding of the museum, is as interesting as the collection.

Brian was educated in the UK, attending school at Marlborough College where he studied classics and ancient history. He did not go to university but was articled to a solicitors' practice in the City of London, where he qualified in 1956. He then joined the legal firm of Johnston Stokes & Master in Hong Kong, eventually rising to the position of Senior Partner in 1971. During 1973-74 he served as President of the Hong Kong Law Society. He remained as Senior Partner in his practice until 1983, continuing as a consultant until his retirement in 1992.

Brian's career was rewarding on many levels. By mid-career he was a prominent member of Hong Kong society, noted for his fine and extensive collection of East Asian art treasures, principally Chinese. He started collecting in 1958, despite his modest means at that time. His collecting dominated his non-work interests, and he devoted many hours to achieving a scholarly understanding both of Chinese art, and of the history of one of the world's finest and most profound artistic cultures. This knowledge enabled him to buy with discrimination.

After retiring in 1992, Brian was faced with the dilemma of what to do with his by now extensive collection of East Asian art. He explored the possibilities of loaning or donating his collection to an existing museum where he could continue his involvement with Chinese art, and pass on his knowledge and enthusiasm for it to the next generation. However his approaches were in vain. Then in late 1989, only a week or so after the last unsuccessful approach, some funds in his gift became available for donation to charity, specifically including museums. Brian decided to found the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath as an educational charity to which he would donate his collection.

A fine Georgian house was purchased at 12 Bennett Street, located close to The Circus, one of Bath 's most prominent architectural treasures, and not far from that other architectural masterpiece, the Royal Crescent. The house was converted in 1991 - 92 and fitted out as a Museum, with meticulous attention paid to the planning and finishing of the building. Since the founding of the Museum, Brian has worked there on a daily basis as the Honorary Keeper, with a series of excellent curators, a small dedicated team of managers, and an effective and focussed group of more senior Trustees.

Since its foundation the Museum has flourished and is now recognised as one of the three major UK Museums in its field.

12 Bennett Street
Bath
BA1 2QJ
t: 01225 464640
f: 01225 461718