ASIAN BRONZE

EXPERIENCE BRONZE

Describing bronze art as merely ‘beautiful’ does not do it full justice. Bronze is so much more than a visual experience. What does bronze sound like, for instance? Come and immerse yourself in the magic of these shimmering metal objects, the almost 75 tangible memories of the cultures that produced them.

RICH IMPRESSION

This exhibition is a unique celebration of 4000 years of Asian bronze, with masterpieces from India , China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal and Korea . Ranging from prehistoric objects to contemporary artworks, and from everyday items to depictions of gods, each one is a display of astonishing skill and dazzling imagination.

LOANED WORKS

Many of the objects in this exhibition have been loaned by other museums, both Western and Asian. One of the six works loaned by the National Museum in Bangkok is Buddha Protected by the Naga , which is leaving Thailand for the first time. Other loaned works have come from Indonesia (Sonobudoyo Museum, Yogyakarta), India (Bihar Museum, Patna) and Pakistan (National Museum, Karachi).

DESIGN

Dutch designer Aldo Bakker designed the exhibition. Irma Boom is responsible for the graphic design.

MORE

The exhibition is accompanied by a book written by the exhibition’s curators, titled Asian Bronze. 4000 Years of Beauty . We are also holding a symposium on Asian bronze on 9 and 10 January 2025.

Audio Tour: Asian Bronze

Embark on a journey through past and present Asia with our audio tour, highlighting nine fascinating objects and their stories. Animations reveal the ancient techniques of bronze-making and casting, spanning thousands of years. Discover the myths and legends that surround these artifacts and explore how these stories and symbols enhance both the function and beauty of each piece.

Languages: Dutch / English
Price: €6.50, or free to download via the Rijksmuseum app.

THANKS

Asian Bronze. 4000 Years of Beauty has come about thanks to the indispensable support of the Bagri Foundation, the Flora Fund/Rijksmuseum Fund, Rijksmuseum Friends and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.