Welcome to the Global Arts, Cultures and Design department. We research and care for the art, design and cultural collections from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

Our collections are open to researchers for research appointments.

Please contact our staff to enquire.

Contact list of staff members

Global Arts, Cultures & Design department
Telephone
0131 247 4230
Email
GACD.enquiries@nms.ac.uk

Our collections

Global Arts, Cultures and Design covers a wide range of objects from around the world, dating from the ancient to the present day.

Asia
More than 50,000 items from across Asia represent its cultural diversity.
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European Decorative Arts
British and European gold and silver, sculpture, ceramics, glass, enamels, arms and armour, dress, tapestries, textiles and furniture made between 1200 and 1850.
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Mediterranean, Africa, Americas and Oceania
Over 35,000 objects, including textiles, pottery, jewellery, sculpture, coffins, musical instruments, tools, weapons, basketry, and contemporary art.
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Modern and Contemporary Design
Over 35,000 objects dating from c.1850 to the present, including ceramics, jewellery, glass, metalwork, fashion and textiles, craft, contemporary furniture and product design.
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What we do

We explore international collections in collaboration with our diverse audiences with the aim of deepening understandings of Scotland’s relationship with the world.