Asian

The art of Asia collections feature historical and modern works of Asia, highlighting the unique cultures and artistic and religious traditions of the people of this expansive region. The collection spans more than one thousand years of history from India and Iran to China and Japan.

Asian

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About the Collection

The Asian collection includes works from many eras and countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma and Java. Among the strongest and most comprehensive, the Chinese collection begins with archaeological objects which explore ancient Chinese and Korean traditions of burial artifacts placed in tombs, including clay figurative sculpture and ancient pottery and bronze. The Museum’s oldest artifacts can be found in the Asian collection.

The evolution of Chinese ceramic development, including its culmination in porcelain, is explored in depth in the collection. Examples of jade carving from the Neolithic era to the 19th century are complemented by later bronze objects and cloisonné enamel from China and Japan. The collection features Chinese paintings from the 14th to the 20th centuries. In Japanese art, the collection features prints, screens, and paintings, along with several sets of Japanese samurai armor and accessories. Contemporary works by Japanese ceramicists, a globally recognized phenomenon, augment the more historical works of Japan.

Religious works of art from Hindu and Buddhist traditions of several countries include gilded bronze sculpture and two complete shrines. Significant holdings in Sri Lankan Buddhist art distinguish the Museum’s collection internationally. A collection of Sino-Tibetan Buddhist bronzes represents nearly every Esoteric Buddhist deity. Other Buddhist works from Thailand, Burma and Java expand the representation of Buddhism’s broad spread across Asia.

Collection Highlights

Seated Buddha (Buda sentado)

Unknown, Sri Lanka, Kandyan period, 18th century, sculpture, gilt bronze and lacquer, Gift of Barry Fernando MD and Coleene Fernando MD

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Samurai saddle ensemble (Conjunto de silla Samurai)

Unknown, Japan, mid-late 19th century, red and gold lacquered wood and leather, Gift of Roger Dunn in memory of Imre Sandor and the Museum's 50th Anniversary

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Heavenly Pond and Stone Cliff (Estanque celestial y acantilado de piedra)

C. C. Wang, Chinese, 1907 - 2003, 1972, hanging scroll, ink and color on paper, Gift of Jeannette Shambaugh Elliott

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A New-Year Celebration (Una celebración de año nuevo)

Unknown, Ukiyo-e School, 1780-1795, painting, ink, color, gofun and gold on paper, Gift of Mrs. Naomi D. Kitchel and Mrs. Percy Douglas

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A Woman Saving the Nation, from the series The Taiheiki Chronicle (Una mujer salvando la nación, de la serie “La crónica Taiheiki”)

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Japanese, 1839 - 1892, 1886, woodblock print, Gift of Susan Julia Ross and Dr. Gary L. Waddington

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Album of Flowers, Bamboo, Fruits and Vegetables (Álbum de flores, bambú, frutas y verduras)

Yun Shouping, Chinese, 1633 - 1690, not dated, album, ink and color on paper, Gift of Marilyn and Roy Papp

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Altar niche (Nicho de altar)

Unknown, Sri Lanka, not dated, wood and pigment, Gift of Barry Fernando MD and Coleene Fernando MD

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Autumn Landscape (Paisaje de otoño)

Yamamoto Shunkyo, Japanese, 1871 - 1933, not dated, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, Gift of Dr. Ju-hsi Chou

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Autumn River in the Mountains (Otoño, río en las montañas)

Zhang Sheng, Chinese, active c. 1690, 17th century, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, Gift of Marilyn and Roy Papp

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EXHIBITIONS

On view for a limited time, exhibitions present art from across the centuries and the globe, from iconic fashion to Old Master paintings, contemporary photography to historical objects of Asia.

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COLLECTIONS

Featuring more than 20,000 objects, the collection spans the globe, bringing the world to our city, and our city to the world.

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ARIZONA ARTIST AWARDS

Since 1986, Phoenix Art Museum has awarded more than $350,000 to over 200 Arizona-based artists through two annual artist awards opportunities.

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