EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Fright at the Museum! Rarest china is smashed when shelf at Ashmolean collapses

Numbering Lord Rothschild, several Sainsburys and other members of the stupendously rich among its benefactors, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford displays a staggering array of art and antiquities — from drawings by da Vinci to paintings by Rubens.

But today I can reveal those benefactors are reeling from an extraordinary incident which left several priceless pieces of porcelain shattered. The catastrophe occurred last Sunday, on the Ashmolean’s second floor in its West Meets East Gallery, which showcases, among other treasures, irreplaceable pieces of Meissen porcelain, made in Dresden in the 18th century.

The gallery was empty when a student in his 20s looked in. Moments later, I’m told, he was treated to the sound of breaking glass and porcelain, as a shelf in a glass display case gave way.

The catastrophe occurred last Sunday, on the Ashmolean’s second floor in its West Meets East Gallery, which showcases, among other treasures, irreplaceable pieces of Meissen porcelain, made in Dresden in the 18th century

The gallery was empty when a student in his 20s looked in. Moments later, I’m told, he was treated to the sound of breaking glass and porcelain, as a shelf in a glass display case gave way

More from Richard Eden for The Daily Mail…

‘He’d only just walked in when he heard this hideous sound,’ my Oxford mole tells me. ‘He was about 20 ft from where it happened. You can imagine what it was like: you’re alone in a museum gallery then there’s the sound of glass and china shattering. It’s a hell of a shock. Then you have the hideous feeling that you’ll be blamed for it. He felt sick.’

To his credit, the student immediately reported what had happened.

Suzanne de la Rosa, of Oxford University Gardens, Libraries and Museums, tells me six pieces of porcelain — some Royal Worcester, some Chinese — are now with the museum’s conservation team ‘for assessment’.

Adding that it is hoped ‘some of the items will return to display’, she explains that it’s not known why or how the glass shelf broke away.

Assuring me that ‘no visitors or staff were near the display case’ at the time, De la Rosa says the Ashmolean is conducting ‘a full investigation’ — not least so as to ‘avoid a similar incident in future’.

Perhaps the benefactors will supply some Blu Tack in the interim?

Theatre-goers are being warned that they could find a Shakespeare play upsetting because it features the death of a monarch. And that a rendition of the national anthem could be an emotional experience. Shakespeare’s Globe in London, which is staging Henry VIII, featuring the demise of his first queen, Katherine of Aragon, says: ‘This production contains scenes that audiences may find sensitive due to recent events, including a coronation, the death of a monarch and the national anthem.’

Cherie tackles ballet dilemma 

Cherie Blair was once memorably pictured failing to stifle a yawn while watching the Highland Games with the Queen. Yet she insists she hasn’t breached etiquette by attending a ballet during National Mourning.

Giselle was performed at the London Coliseum by the United Ukrainian Ballet for a very worthy cause, the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

‘I haven’t been attending events because of the Queen’s death, of course, but I felt this was a special, important one,’ the wife of Sir Tony Blair tells me. ‘The dancers are dancing and it’s so important to them and their country — the Queen would understand.’

Cherie adds: ‘It’s very important to highlight the richness of Ukrainian culture, particularly when President Putin doesn’t seem to think Ukraine exists as a culture, or as a country.’

Vogue editor reunites exes

Not only did the Duchess of Sussex agree to edit his magazine for one issue in 2019 but she, coyly, refrained from putting herself on the cover.

Now, Vogue editor Edward Enninful has managed to persuade Orlando Bloom to attend the Los Angeles launch party for his memoirs, alongside the Hollywood star’s model ex-wife, Miranda Kerr.

Canterbury-born Bloom, 45, now engaged to pop superstar Katy Perry, 37, has an 11-year-old son, Flynn, with Australian Kerr, 39. She’s married to billionaire Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel, 32.

Vogue editor Edward Enninful has managed to persuade Orlando Bloom to attend the Los Angeles launch party for his memoirs, alongside the Hollywood star’s model ex-wife, Miranda Kerr

Sir Mick’s squeeze pens dark debut 

Sir Mick Jagger was handed a reported £1 million advance by the publisher Lord Weidenfeld in the early 1980s to write his memoirs. He later returned the money, explaining that he didn’t enjoy writing it.

His girlfriend, Melanie Hamrick, has, though, managed to complete a book.

It’s not an autobiography but a novel called First Position, which is due to be published next summer.

Melanie Hamrick has written a novel called First Position, which is due to be published next summer

Hamrick, 35, is a former ballerina with American Ballet Theatre in New York and her book is about a young ballerina who ‘begins to unravel as her star rises’, according to her U.S. publisher, which adds that it’s an examination of the ‘insular, seductive, and cut-throat world of dance’

Hamrick, 35, is a former ballerina with American Ballet Theatre in New York and her book is about a young ballerina who ‘begins to unravel as her star rises’, according to her U.S. publisher, which adds that it’s an examination of the ‘insular, seductive, and cut-throat world of dance’.

Mel — who has a son, Deveraux, aged five, with the 79-year-old Rolling Stones frontman — gushes: ‘So excited that my debut novel is being published.’ She says the book is ‘fun, seductive and a bit dark’.

Sounds a bit like the Sympathy For The Devil singer . . .

Troubled Cara Delevingne is surprised she reached 30 last month. ‘Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be alive at this age,’ she admits. The top model was recently seen sitting alone in a parked car in Los Angeles, where she took drops of liquid from a pipette and smoked from what appeared to be a pipe. Her legs appeared to be bruised. ‘I literally couldn’t wait to turn 30, because the 20s are f****** hard,’ she tells Stylist. ‘You’re basically still a teenager — but you’re meant to be an adult and everyone’s telling you this is the best time of your life.’

Cressie’s shocking new style

Prince Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas has said her dreams have been wilder since she got pregnant. And it would appear the same applies to her hair.

The actress, 33, who’s married to estate agent Harry Wentworth-Stanley, looks like she’s stuck a finger in an electricity socket in this selfie.

She’s having her locks tended by stylist to the stars Jonothon Malone.

Prince Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas has said her dreams have been wilder since she got pregnant. And it would appear the same applies to her hair.

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