Asian Art
Art of Japan / Lacquerware from the 16th to the 19th centuries is represented primarily by jewelry and other boxes produced for the European market as well as decorative cases for writing implements and other accoutrements of Japanese everyday life. The remarkable sculptures include the statue of the King of Hell, Emma, dating from the sixteenth century, and the lavishly carved and gilded altarpiece with the Bodhisattva Kannon and two guardians. Among the Japanese metalwork, particularly decorative wares adorned in the traditional Asian technique of compartment enamel – cloisonné – are of major importance as well as a set of Japanese sword guards, unique in the Czech Lands. Painting and graphic art depicting nature, with the themes of natural still life, kachōga, and landscape painting, sansuiga, are
complemented with rare painting manuals and albums, hanging scrolls and folding screens.
The Rainer Kreissl Collection / This small exhibition on the ground floor is dedicated to the famous collector of Czech origin, connoisseur and generous art patron Rainer Kreissl (1924–2005). On the occasion of the opening of the first permanent exhibition of Asian art in 1998, the collector donated more than one hundred and forty exhibits of Asian provenance to the National Gallery in Prague, a smaller part of which is on display.
Art of China / Neolithic art is represented by ceramic wares with abstract decoration and examples of unique bronzeware, small sets of jade carvings, bronze arms, bells, mirrors, clasps, rattles and pendants. The impressive introduction continues by a rarely complete set of funerary figures. Also worthy of attention are Buddhist sculptures from various materials and in different techniques portraying monks, bodhisattvas and other Buddhist deities. The statues of Guanyin in the royal position and Luohan Kashyapamuni are outstanding. A collection of ink painting and calligraphy in a regularly changing installation is complemented with seals and calligraphy instruments.
Art of Southeast Asia / The prevailing part of this territory was influenced by Indian culture, one of the major unifying elements of ethnically and culturally diverse Southeast Asia. Its art is mainly represented by Buddhist sculpture, as the most productive regions in terms of art were those where Buddhism prevailed. The principal developmental features between the 9th and 19th centuries can be seen in the artwork from today’s Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia and Indonesia.
Art of Tibet / The term ”Tibetan Art” denotes not only artwork of Tibetan origin, but also Buddhist art of Mongolia, Nepal and southwestern China. Painting, namely Tibetan paintings called thangka, was most significant in these regions. The exhibition is dominated by the gilded figure of the Bodhisattva of Compassion Padmapani and the tall ritual dagger phurba dated from the early 19th century.
Art of India / Buddhist art of South Asia is represented by the Gandhara reliefs from the territory of today’s Pakistan dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Fragments of high-relief decoration of Hindu temples came from the 10th to 13th centuries: Kahjuraho in Central India and Konarak in Eastern India.
Art of Islam / The exhibition primarily offers examples of decorative art: a large collection of Persian, Turkish and Central Asian rugs and examples of Islamic metalwork and book illumination.
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