how did the british museum get the marbles
Elgin Marbles
When the marbles were shipped to England , they were `` an instant success among many '' who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival , but both the sculptures and Elgin also received criticism from detractors . Lord Elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the British Museum in 1811 , but negotiations failed despite the support of British artists after the government showed little interest . Many Britons opposed purchase of the statues because they were in bad condition and therefore did not display the `` ideal beauty '' found in other sculpture collections . The following years marked an increased interest in classical Greece , and in June 1816 , after parliamentary hearings , the House of Commons offered £ 35,000 in exchange for the sculptures . Even at the time the acquisition inspired much debate , although it was supported by `` many persuasive calls '' for the purchase . 
When the marbles were shipped to England , they were `` an instant success among many '' who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival , but both the sculptures and Elgin also received criticism from detractors . Lord Elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the British Museum in 1811 , but negotiations failed despite the support of British artists after the government showed little interest . Many Britons opposed purchase of the statues because they were in bad condition and therefore did not display the `` ideal beauty '' found in other sculpture collections . The following years marked an increased interest in classical Greece , and in June 1816 , after parliamentary hearings , the House of Commons offered £ 35,000 in exchange for the sculptures . Even at the time the acquisition inspired much debate , although it was supported by `` many persuasive calls '' for the purchase .
Lord Elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the British Museum in 1811, but negotiations failed despite the support of British artists after the government showed little interest.   The following years marked an increased interest in classical Greece, and in June 1816, after parliamentary hearings, the House of Commons offered £ 35,000 in exchange for the sculptures.
Lord Elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the British Museum in 1811 , but negotiations failed despite the support of British artists after the government showed little interest . The following years marked an increased interest in classical Greece , and in June 1816 , after parliamentary hearings , the House of Commons offered £ 35,000 in exchange for the sculptures .
Lord Elgin began negotiations for the sale of the marbles collection to the British Museum in 1811, but negotiations failed despite the support of British artists after the government showed little interest. The following years marked an increased interest in classical Greece, and in June 1816, after parliamentary hearings, the House of Commons offered £ 35,000 in exchange for the sculptures.
When the marbles were shipped to England , they were `` an instant success among many '' who admired the sculptures and supported their arrival , but both the sculptures and Elgin also received criticism from detractors . Lord Elgin began negotiations for the sale of the collection to the British Museum in 1811 , but negotiations failed despite the support of British artists after the government showed little interest . The following years marked an increased interest in classical Greece , and in June 1816 , after parliamentary hearings , the House of Commons offered £ 35,000 in exchange for the sculptures .