Coloured glass tobacco jar with cover, British, c.1880s. © Harris Museum & Art Gallery

A stunning new Ceramics and Glass Gallery has opened at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston.

The result of a £400,000 project, the new gallery has over 1,000 items on display. These include work from contemporary artists to examples of ancient ceramics with some items never previously shown and which have been restored with the help of the funding.

Commemorative FA Cup teapot, Staffordshire, c.1938 © Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Pieces by Halima Cassell and Grayson Perry lead the contemporary contributions and an ancient Pelike vase dated to 500 BC is the oldest item in the collection. The gallery is designed to lead visitors on a journey linking these items through the development of ceramics and glass.

This includes telling the stories behind the pieces such as the reason why Staffordshire figures have a child-like charm - they were made by children at a rate of 400 a day for as little as two shillings a week. You can also learn what 'friggers' are - one-off pieces made by glassworkers to show off their skills.

Previously unshown pieces that have been restored for inclusion in the new gallery by the Lancashire Conservation Studio include a brown slipware feeder dated to 1836 decorated with stylized birds with a twisted handle and a c.1700 Blanc de Chine teapot and lid decorated with plum blossom.

Earthenware scene 'The Vicar And Moses', Staffordshire, 1794 © Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Eric Knowles from The Antiques Road Show opened the new gallery on Tuesday May 13 2008. "I've felt like Willy Wonka in the Chocolate Factory," he said. "I'm a pot and glass-aholic and the Harris Museum and Art Gallery has one of the finest collections in the country."

As well as opening the new gallery, Eric Knowles has worked with the museum and Spiral Productions to record the new digital audio-visual guide to the Ceramics and Glass collection. Spiral have also developed such resources for London’s Tate Modern and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow.

Celebrations continue this weekend at the gallery with a free public tea party on Saturday May 17 from 11am – 3pm. Activities will include handling sessions and informal tours of the new gallery – plus tea tasting with Lancashire tea and cake!

The new gallery has been designed by Meyvaert who have also worked with the Louvre, the Pompidou Centre and the V&A. It has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Aven Central Regeneration Partnership and Renaissance North-West.