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.
Global Arts, Cultures & Design

Asia

Our collections from Asia represent its cultural diversity. More than 50,000 items from across the continent allow an insight into artistic exchange, trade relations, imperial histories and religious beliefs.

Meet the team

Asia stories

  1. Colourful printed cotton with blue geometric print and a blue red and green selection of fruits and flowers in the centre.

    The material lives of ordinary people: rare 19th century Chinese cotton

    Fashion and textiles, History and cultures

    Written by Dr Rachel Silberstein
    When you think of historical Chinese dress, what material comes to mind? Most people would probably assume silk. But the majority of the population in Qing dynasty China (1644-1911) actually wore cotton.However, this reality is not…
    Long read
  2. Detail of a painting depicting two women sitting on a mat working with textiles

    A closer look at a Korean scroll painting

    Art and design, History and cultures

    In our collection we have six Korean hanging scrolls that all date from the beginning of the 20th century. This was a time of great change that marked the end of the long-running Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) and the beginning of the…
    Film
  3. Detail of a long rectangular painting depicting flowers

    Exploring painting styles of Korean hanging scrolls

    Art and design, History and cultures

    In our collection we have six Korean hanging scrolls that all date from the beginning of the 20th century. This was a time of great change that marked the end of the long-running Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) and the beginning of the…
    Long read