A visit to the Oriental Art Museum is a spectacular journey through Asian culture, art and craftmanship. The permanent collections here include the Japanese section, one of the most important and rich documenting the Edo period (1603–1867), the Chinese and the South-Asian sections. Here visitors can find rare and precious pieces, such as paintings on silk, illustrated wall panels, gold and red lacquered artefacts, jades, blades, musical instruments, kimonos, Samurai armours, porcelains, Buddhist altars and sculptures and leather puppets of the wayang (the Indonesian shadow theatre).
The Oriental Art Museum is a bridge to Eastern culturesThe Oriental Art Museum houses one of the most important collections of the Japanese art of the Edo period (1603–1868) in Europe, mainly composed by artworks and objects purchased by the Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma during his travels around the world from 1887 and 1889. When he died, his widow sold the collection to the Austrian firm Trau, then after World War I the Italian state got it back as war reparations. After moving from Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, the Museum has been located on the third floor of Ca’ Pesaro, the palace designed by Baldassarre Longhena on the Grand Canal, which hosts the International Gallery of Modern Art. The Oriental Art Museum also consists of other sections devoted to China, Indonesia and South-Eastern Asia. The collections – including paintings, porcelains, ivories, armours, altars, worship statues, swords, daggers, enamel objects, fine clothes – are so rich that the pieces are displayed in rotation and every visit is surprising.
A free audio guide, available to stream from 10 April to 1 May, will enhance your experience of Homo Faber in Citta. Discover more about Venice, its crafts workshops and its heritage as a city of craftsmanship, to complement your personal tour.
ListenPlease stay informed about the latest Covid safety requirements in Venice and comply with any requests from the venues you visit, to ensure the safety of yourself and the participating artisans.
Make sure you arrive on time at each venue (although no more than ten minutes early), to make the most of your experience and the artisan’s time. Please call the venue ahead of time if you are likely to be late.
Please let us know if you wish to cancel your booking so that we may offer the opportunity to another visitor. Cancel or rebook directly on your account or via your confirmation or reminder email. If cancelling on the day of your event, kindly inform the venue by telephone.