Nonprofit private museum in Wuhan gains global attention
Eurasia Museum, set up by curator Yan Xuejun, is home to 4,000 artifacts from over 30 countries
What adds to the museum's appeal is that many of the exhibits are accompanied by purchase receipts and Yan's personal experiences of acquiring them.
Of all his collecting experiences, the most memorable one for him is a blue-and-white porcelain plate measuring half a meter in diameter with flame and Chinese dragon motifs from the Kangxi period.
Nine years ago, Yan first saw this Chinese artifact at the home of Peter Roessler, a collector in Germany. Although he offered to buy it at a high price, Roessler, who had a lifelong passion for Asian art, refused.
"This plate has been sitting in the center of the Roessler's living room for over 20 years, and they are reluctant to sell it," Yan said.
Last year, while having tea at Roessler's home, Yan told Roessler that he intended to take the plate back to its homeland and display it in a museum. Only then did Roessler agree to sell him the plate.
"Mr Roessler told me that he saw in me his young self, with the same passion and perseverance. He mentioned that, at almost 90 years old, returning the plate to China through me is the most appropriate option," Yan said.
