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

Our collections are open to researchers for examination. 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.

Colourful painted portrait of a man with a beard wearing a jeweled turban. He is writing a letter with a feather pen on a desk full of items. The background is a simple green ground and blue sky embellished with landmarks of different cities and other objects.

Asia

More than 50,000 items from across Asia represent its cultural diversity.

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.

Mediterranean, Africa, Americas and Oceania

Over 35,000 objects, including textiles, pottery, jewellery, sculpture, coffins, musical instruments, tools, weapons, basketry, and contemporary art.

Painted glass portrait of a sleeping figure wrapped in a red lace patterned blanket. there are barbed wire fences in the background, a pair of running legs, and a tree, moon and stars on a night sky.

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.

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.