Handling Sessions
Each year the Society offers a number of very popular handling sessions, where members are able to hold and examine objects from private collections, auction houses and museums. These sessions are intended for connoisseurs and novices alike and offer our members a rare opportunity to handle and discuss important objects up close while trading knowledge with experts.
Information about these sessions is initially shared via our regular members’ email updates. Numbers are always limited and booking is essential. Please look out for notifications to be sure of securing your place.
Upcoming Handling Sessions
Guided Tour at the Fitzwilliam Museum
Guided Tour: An Enamel Revolution: China and the World – Culture Exchange, Trade & Globalization Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026, 2pm – 3pm Host: Dr. James Lin, Senior Curator of Chinese Art Location: The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB Price: £25 (non refundable) Organised in association with An Enamel Revolution: […] ...
Handling Session with Sotheby’s – The Collection of Sir Ewen and Lady Fergusson
Date: Sunday 1 November 2026, 11am – 12pm Location: Sotheby’s, 34-35 New Bond Street, Bond Street, London W1A 2AA Price: free Booking Information: Please RSVP by Wednesday 28 of October to express your interest, including your phone number. Express your interest to: Sotheby’s presents OCS members with an opportunity to handle and discuss highlights […] ...
Previous Handling Sessions
Chitra Collection: Guided Tour and Handling Session
ExpiredDate: Tuesday 1 September 2026 Session 1: 11am – 12.30pm Session 2: 1.30pm – 3.00pm Host: Grace Benham, Curator of The Chitra Collection Location: N.Sethia House, 105 St John St, London EC1M 4AS Price: £20 (non refundable) Booking Information Visit the TICKETS page to purchase a ticket. Login to your OCS account to purchase tickets […] ...
Private Viewing of a Selection of Porcelain at Burghley House and Private Tour of the House
ExpiredDate: Friday 26 June 2026, 10am-4pm Location: Burghley House, Peterborough, Stamford PE9 3JY Price: £55 (includes tea and coffee) Members are responsible for their own travel to Burghley House. Please plan ahead and do not be late. To purchase tickets visit the TICKETS page We are pleased to offer OCS members a private viewing of […] ...
Handling Session: Transitional and Early Kangxi Ceramics
ExpiredDate: Tuesday 26 May 2026, 10.30am-12.30pm Location: Parsons Green, London Price: Free (entry is strictly restricted to ticket holders) This event is now sold out. We are pleased to offer OCS members a handling session featuring Blue & White and Wucai ceramics from the Transitional period through to the Early Kangxi with some emphasis on […] ...
The Peter and Mary White Collection of Chinese Art: Part III – Handling Session Hosted by Bonhams
ExpiredHandling Session hosted by Bonhams. ...
Tour of Leighton House with Dr. Melanie Gibson
ExpiredDate: Thursday 23 April 2026, 10am-11am Location: Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Rd, London, W14 8LZ We are pleased to offer OCS members a special guided tour of The Arab Hall: Past and Present with Dr Melanie Gibson. This event accompanies Dr Gibson’s OCS lecture, Frederic Leighton – A Victorian Traveller and Collector in the […] ...
Handling Session of Song Dynasty Qingbai Ware with Professor Brian M. Salzberg
ExpiredHandling Session of Song Dynasty Qingbai Ware with Professor Brian M. Salzberg ...
Special Viewing of The Woolf Collection of Imperial Jades
ExpiredSpecial Viewing of The Woolf Collection of Imperial Jades Next OCS Event: Special viewing of The Woolf Collection of Imperial Chinese Jades, Tuesday 10 March 2026. ...
Visit to The Butler Collection of 17th Century Chinese Porcelain
ExpiredNext OCS event: Visit to The Butler Collection, Saturday 7 March. Limited tickets available for OCS members. ...
Handling Session Chiswick Auctions: The Santos Collection of Early Ceramics
ExpiredHandling Session Chiswick Auctions: The Santos Collection of Early Ceramics ...
The Peter and Mary White collection of Chinese Art: Part III – Handling Session hosted by Bonhams
ExpiredHandling Session hosted by Bonhams. ...
The Peter and Mary White collection of Chinese Art: Part II – Handling Session hosted by Bonhams
ExpiredHandling Session hosted by Bonhams. ...
Handling Session of Yaozhou Wares with Professor Brian M. Salzberg
ExpiredDate: Saturday 13th of December 2025, 2pm Location: Philadelphia, USA – Details will be provided to successful participants by 1 Dec 2025 We are delighted to offer a special event for OCS members in the USA. OCS Council Member Professor Brian M. Salzberg will host an exclusive handling session of Yaozhou wares at his private […] ...