Museum für Asiatische Kunst

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Asian Art Museum) emerged in 2006 from the merger of two Berlin institutions with long traditions. The East Asian art collection had been founded in 1906 at the instigation of Wilhelm von Bode and before World War II was among the most important of its kind. After 1945, however, most of its holdings were taken to the Soviet Union as war booty, where they remain in the Hermitage to this day.

The Museum für Indische Kunst (Museum of Indian Art) was created in 1963 from the Indian department of the ethnological museum. Its core consists of the finds of the Prussian Turfan expeditions (1902–1914) along the northern Silk Road, including wall paintings from Buddhist cave monasteries.

On December 4, 2006, the two museums were merged and initially shown at the Museumszentrum Dahlem, which closed in January 2017 for the move. Since 2021, the museum has presented its holdings in the rebuilt Berlin Palace, the Humboldt Forum; the presentation was completed with the opening of the east wing in September 2022.

The collection comprises some 33,000 objects. Among the best-known pieces are a reconstructed cave from Kizil, the imperial throne from the Kangxi period, a Japanese tearoom, and Buddhist sculptures from South Asia.

Highlights

• Reconstructed Buddhist cave from Kizil with wall paintings from the Turfan expeditions
• Imperial throne from the Kangxi period (17th century)
• Japanese tearoom
• Buddhist sculpture from South Asia with stupas, Buddhas, and bodhisattvas
• Chinese painting and Japanese color woodblock prints

Permanent exhibitions

• Ethnologische Sammlungen und Asiatische Kunst – Joint permanent presentation with the Ethnologisches Museum (Ethnological Museum) in the Humboldt Forum; the Asian section ranges from Buddhist art of the Silk Road to painting and decorative arts from China, Japan, and Korea.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz

Director

Henrietta Lidchi

Admission & discounts

The "Ethnologische Sammlungen und Asiatische Kunst" (Ethnological Collections and Asian Art) ticket – a timed-entry ticket of the Humboldt Forum – is valid for the exhibitions of both museums. Free admission with, among others, an annual pass of the Staatliche Museen or the Museumspass Berlin, for ICOM and DMB (German Museums Association) members, press, and recipients of social benefits.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Information for the Humboldt Forum: accessible entrance via Portal 3 (west side) or the revolving door in the passage; elevators serve all exhibition floors. Due to landscaping work, accessible parking spaces are currently at Portal 2 (southern Schlossplatz). Tactile guidance system and touch stations; media guide with audio description and German Sign Language (DGS). Only assistance dogs allowed in the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Family tours in the collection rooms (e.g., "Dancing Generations" with dance and movement) and other family programs of the Humboldt Forum. According to the house rules, children under 12 may enter the exhibitions only when accompanied by an adult and may not be carried on backs or shoulders; strollers may have to be exchanged for ones provided by the museum. Signposted baby changing rooms.

Getting there & parking

Taxi stand at the corner of Spandauer Straße and Rathausstraße.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Restaurants and shops of the Humboldt Forum: Restaurant Baret, bistro, bar, café, and food market. Free coat check; bags larger than A4 must be checked. Free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

Rentals are handled by the Humboldt Forum, not by the museum itself.

Plan your visit