Where I live there are few Chinese artifact exhibits in museums so I am curious - where are the best museum collections (especially in the US)?
Perhaps the readers here could post reviews of their local museums?
Maybe list the types of collections, general impressions, and if visitors can take photographs (so we can share online).

It seems like this would belong in the gallery/museum section but that section specifically asks for pictures/artwork, not reviews.

Thanks for listening!

While I think this is an excellent suggestion (I frequently post my museum adventures) the second half of your sentence made me smile.

Asking for the best collections involves that oh-so-annoying question: based on what? Collection: size, scope, Dynasty, focus, etc. One man's junk...



A terrific idea, really really. I'm all for it.

not too familiar with museums in the US but if you are really interested in museums holding Chinese artifacts then you should definitely check out the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. Since you are on this forum, I assume you know the history of it. It is pretty much the king of all museums having to do with Chinese culture,artifacts,etc. If you get the chance to visit Taiwan, it is definitely a must-go. The museum has a huge library full of books having to with Chinese history and culture open to the public and has plenty of exhibits. It took me a day to check out all the exhibits and I was rushing. They are also building another branch in Chiayi,Taiwan right now which will focus on Asian history and culture as a whole. They had a special exhibit about recently when I went. Lots and lots of Japanese love going there for some reason. Everytime I go, it always seems like there are as many people speaking Japanese as Mandarin. I rate it 5 stars. If you are interested in going, I can elaborate more on the museum. Just tell me and I can tell you more about it since I just went about 3 weeks ago.

You can post such review in our general discussion forum

I was actually trying to find a good museum.
After looking in the Museum/Gallery section, I thought, "hey, I like taking pictures, I can run out to a museum and take/share some pictures".
Then I discovered that there are no museums nearby that have collections of Chinese artifacts and allow visitors to take pictures.
I think the nearest one to me is a 4 hour drive away.

I know that some of the smallest museums have the strangest things. The museum at the U. of Sydney in Australia actually has a mummy (or they did a long time ago).

The forum topic listing recommended books is very helpful. Since CHF members are spread all over the world, I thought a similar section might be useful for museums.

Not a big deal. My guess is that the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC is the best in the US.

What are, in your opinion, the stand-out pieces? Imagine I had only an hour to spend...what should I make sure I see? Any personal favorites?

The reason for this, of course, is to force you into the gift shop. Depending on the size of the museum, you can usually buy a catalog of an exhibit, postcards of specific items (and never the one you want) or focus books dedicated to a portion of the collection.



Yes, they do. ^__^ Those darn mummies turn up in the oddest places.



Actually, it isn't. The Smithsonian, a.k.a. America's Attic, focuses on American history, almost exclusively. However, behind and below the Castle (cool, huh?) is a branch of the Smithsonian:The Arthur M Slacker Gallery. Typically paired with The Freer Gallery of Art, they have an extensive collection.

Here's Wiki's list of museums: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Asia...e_United_States

And here's one that's international: http://www.chinapage.com/museum.html


Personally, I can recommend:

The Met and the Asia Society in New York

MFA and Harvard University's Sackler Gallery in Boston (Incidentally, the Peabody Museum is one of my favorite domestic museums.)

Seattle Asian Art Museum (Which, btw, is NOT near the Japanese Garden. DO NOT make the mistake I did of thinking that you can simply walk from one to the other. It's about 2 miles up-cliff from the garden.)

The truly stand-out collection at the Art Institute of Chicago (This one blew my hair back. I'll have to find my review of it...)


On the international scene, I've been to the BM, but was there for the Egyptian and Roman collections so I can't comment on the Asian collection. (Road trip!!)

I strongly second this.
My Father introduced me to it when I was 11. The Asian section was his favorite, so we started the visit in that gallery and then after touring the whole museum, that was where we ended up to go thru it all again before we left. When I look back on that visit, I guess it must have made quite an impression on me.

The links are great! Exactly what I was looking for - too bad there is nothing spectacular in the southeastern US.

I will keep my eye out for museums in Florida and try to make a couple of road trips this summer.

Just to add to the list of museums.

The Toledo Museum of Art is a world class museum that often gets over looked. It has a very good ancients section as well a many famous paintings displayed. The new addition across the street from the main museum is the Glass Pavilion. Since Toledo is known as the "Glass City" the glass collection is spectacular. they also have glass blowing demos everyday right in the museum. The new building itself is a work of art and definitely worth seeing.
Sadly its Asian collection is not the best I have seen, but after being exposed to Chicago's collection in The Art Institute I suppose I am a bit jaded.

The do have a very nice collection of beautifully carved netsuke that are very impressive

If in Toledo the TMA is definitely a place you must visit.

http://www.toledomuseum.org/Art_Asia.htm
http://www.toledomuseum.org/


The Cleveland Art Museum is currently closed except for one main gallery while it goes thru a major renovation. But I have seen some of its collection on its website and it seems to have a large collection.
I am looking forward to visiting it when it opens back up.


Meanwhile go to this site to check out some of the items the CAM has.
http://www.clevelandart.org/Explore/depart...0&view=more

This is a little of topic,

While traveling past Toledo, and just off the toll road exit a few minutes east of Toledo in Elmore Ohio
for those of you who like gardens this is a very nice one to visit.

Schedel Arboretum and Gardens
There is a large collection of Chinese jade displayed in the original owners Victorian home. you need an appointment to go in the home, so you may want to check the site first.
What the articles doesn't say is that there is also a very nice collection of bonsai housed in a special bonsai house behind the home.
The Japanese garden is very nice and worth the cost of admittance.
http://www.schedel-gardens.org/schedel/abo...&subj=about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schedel_Arboretum_and_Gardens

More info from Scott:

Here is a website that has all accredited museums listed:
http://www.aam-us.org/aboutmuseums/directory.cfm


Here is a sample of Florida's museums that have Chinese collections
Some of these websites tell about their collections, some just say Chinese or Asian art.
Most are small collections and seem hostile to photography. Hopefully, they will have books with pictures for sale in their shops. Probably all of these have relatively common items; but that is difficult to tell since many wealthy people live in Florida and donate their items to museums.

The Ringling museum is near me and I think admission is free on Mondays so I can check out this museum to create a sample review. Their website claims to have Asian artifacts and I have been there before but I don't remember any Asian items on display.

Norton Museum of Art
West Palm Beach
http://www.nortonmuseum.org/collections/chinese2.htm

Ringling Museum
Sarasota
http://www.ringling.org/museum_art.asp

Lowe Museum of Art
Miami
http://www6.miami.edu/lowe/art_asia.htm

Museum of Arts and Sciences
Daytona Beach
http://www.moas.org/chinese%20art.html

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
http://www.morikami.org/index.php
Delray Beach

Museum of Fine Arts (does not specifically say Chinese just Asian)
http://www.fine-arts.org/
St. Petersburg

Polk Museum of Art (some people should be more careful of their website name)
http://www.polkmuseumofart.org/content/int...;body=asian.htm
Lakeland

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
http://www.harn.ufl.edu/
University of Florida, Gainesville

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
http://www.morikami.org/index.php
Delray Beach





Scott, this is EXACTLY why this kind of list is SO important. I HAD NO FREAKIN' IDEA!
And to think...I never miss a chance to go to the Dali Museum while visiting the in-laws. I now have a new reason to 'want' to go to Florida!!!!

I could kiss you!!!!

Well, to be honest I really dont think one hour is enough to do the museum justice. If you were to go I would suggest freeing up a whole day to look at the museum. Since their collection is so big though, they are constantly changing their pieces in and out. They have some permanent exhibits but some of the exhibits change(I am not sure if it is monthly or what but I went once last year and the exhibits were different) Anyway, their most famous piece is probably the Jade Cabbage and the Dong Po Pork. The Jade Cabbage is a piece of white and green Jade carved to look like a Chinese cabbage while the Dong Po Pork(meat-shaped stone) is a stone that is carved to look like a piece of stewed pork. It really looks just like a piece of stewed pork! They also had a pretty interesting "Exploring Asia" exhibition when I went to showcase art and artifacts from all over Asia. It is not a permanent exhibition though so I dont know if it will be there when you go. Actually, it was just a short showcase in preparation for the opening of a second branch of the National Palace Museum in Chia-yi which will specialize in showcasing Asian art and culture as opposed to just Chinese art and culture in the main National Palace Museum in Taipei. Another exhibit(not permanent) that I found really interesting was the "Arts From the Ching Imperial Collection", this collection housed some of the items that the Emperors of the Ching liked to collect such as lacquer curio boxes with various curious as well as other items created by the Imperial workshops and gifts to the emperor from tributary states/nations. Hope that helps

Naturally I went running:






Cool! Thanks for the info. ^__^

anything to get away from the in laws right???

Yup, those are the ones. I wonder what kind of stone the pork is made of. I dont believe it is Jade. I forgot to mention that other than the building that houses the artifacts, they have another building that is basically a giant library. Lots and lots of good books that have to do with many subjects that arent covered in the US. They also have lots of books that they published for sale in their gift shop. Alot of would make nice gifts for history lovers or anyone interested in Chinese culture as well as for self study. Heres the museums official site. http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/home.htm

Forgot to mention that I just got back from Tokyo where I went to visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Unforunately, they were closed that day because they were cleaning/repairing I believe. I picked up a brochure that they had. Apparently they were showcasing a special exhibition of a great Chinese calligraphy master's work. He goes by the name of Wang Xi Zhi. Not sure if the pinyin is right but he was a very prolific and influential calligraphy master of old.

God those are beautiful!

Here are some museums in the U.S. with Chinese or Asian artifacts. Some already have their entire collections online and others are in the process. Hope you find this a useful resource. Thanks to Pattie for getting this list started! Some states are still missing (I concentrated on the west and southeast).


Museum Name ......................................"City,State"........Collections Online...Web site


Alabama
Berman Museum of World History...................."Anniston, AL"......no................http://www.bermanmuseum.org/
Birmingham Museum of Art.........................."Birmingham, AL"....no................http://www.artsbma.org/
Alaska
Alaska State Museum..............................."Juneau, AK"........yes...............http://www.museums.state.ak.us/
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive.............."Berkeley,CA".........................http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/
Bowers Museum of Cultural Art....................."Santa Ana,CA"........................http://www.bowers.org/index.jsp
Fowler Museum at UCLA............................."Los Angeles,CA"....some..............http://www.fowler.ucla.edu/incEngine/
Hearst Art Gallery at St. Mary's College.........."Moraga,CA"...........................http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/arts/hearst-art-gallery/
Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University........."Stanford, CA"........................http://museum.stanford.edu/view/asia.html
Japanese American National Museum................."Los Angeles,CA"......................http://www.janm.org/
Japanese Friendship Garden at San Diego..........."San Diego,CA"........................http://www.niwa.org/display/home.asp
Los Angeles County Museum of Art.................."Los Angeles,CA"......................http://www.lacma.org/
Mingei International Museum San Diego............."San Diego,CA"........................http://www.mingei.org/collections/
Monterey Museum of Art............................"Monterey,CA".........................http://www.montereyart.org/
Pacific Asia Museum..............................."Pasadena,CA".........................http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/mweb/
Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology..........."Berkeley,CA".........................http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/
Pomona College Museum of Art......................"Pomona,CA"...........................http://www.pomona.edu/museum/
San Diego Museum of Art..........................."San Diego,CA"........................http://www.sdmart.org/
San Diego Museum of Man..........................."San Diego,CA"........................http://www.museumofman.org/
Asian Art Museum.................................."San Francisco,CA"....................http://www.asianart.org/
Chinese American Museum..........................."Los Angeles,CA"......................http://www.camla.org/
Norton Simon Museum..............................."Pasadena,CA".........................http://www.nortonsimon.org/
Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder Museum.........."Boulder,CO".......no.................http://www.colorado.edu/cuartmuseum/
Denver Art Museum ................................"Denver,CO"........yes................http://www.denverartmuseum.org/home
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Ringling Museum..................................."Sarasota,FL"......no.................http://www.ringling.org/museum_art.asp
Norton Museum of Art.............................."West Palm Beach,FL"..................http://www.nortonmuseum.org/collections/chinese2.htm
Lowe Museum of Art................................"Miami,FL"............................http://www6.miami.edu/lowe/art_asia.htm
Museum of Arts and Sciences......................."Daytona Beach,FL"....................http://www.moas.org/chinese%20art.html
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.............."Delray Beach,FL".....................http://www.morikami.org/index.php
Museum of Fine Arts..............................."St. Petersburg,FL"...................http://www.fine-arts.org/
Polk Museum of Art................................"Lakeland,FL".........................http://www.polkmuseumofart.org/
Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art......................"Gainesville,FL"......................http://www.harn.ufl.edu/
Georgia
Madison Museum of Fine Art........................"Madison,GA".......no.................http://www.madisonmuseum.org
Hawaii
Honolulu Academy of Arts.........................."Honolulu,HI"......yes................http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Museum of World Treasures........................."Wichita,KS".......some...............http://www.worldtreasures.org/
Kentucky
Louisiana
LSU Museum of Art................................."Baton Rouge, LA"..no.................http://www.lsumoa.com/
New Orleans Museum of Art........................."New Orleans,LA"...no.................http://www.noma.org/
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Weisman Art Museum................................"Minneapolis,MN"...no.................http://www.weisman.umn.edu/
Minneapolis Institue of Art......................."Minneapolis,MN"...yes................http://www.artsmia.org/
World Musical Instrument Museum (open 2010)......."Minneapolis,MN"...no.................http://www.themim.org/
Mississippi
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art......................."Laurel,MS"........no.................http://www.lrma.org/
Missouri
U. Missouri at Columbia..........................."Columbia,MO"......no.................http://maa.missouri.edu/
St. Louis Art Museum.............................."St. Louis,MO".....yes................http://www.slam.org/
Montana
Nebraska
Joslyn Art Museum................................."Omaha,NE".........some...............http://www.joslyn.org/
Lentz Center for Asian Culture...................."Lincoln,NE".......some...............http://www.unl.edu/lentz/
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art...................."New York, NY"........................http://www.metmuseum.org/
The Asia Society.................................."New York, NY"........................http://www.asiasociety.org/
North Carolina
Ackland Art Museum................................"Chapel Hill,NC"...yes................http://www.ackland.org/index.php
North Dakota
Ohio
Toledo Museum of Art.............................."Toledo, OH"..........................http://www.toledomuseum.org/
Cleveland Museum of Art..........................."Cleveland,OH"........................http://www.clemusart.com/
Oklahoma
Oregon
Jordon Schnitzer Museum of Art...................."Eugene,OR"...........................http://uoma.uoregon.edu/collection/
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Center..............."John Day,OR".........................http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_8.php
Portland Art Museum..............................."Portland,OR".........................http://www.pam.org/
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Kimbell Art Museum................................"Ft. Worth, TX"...not sure (a lot)....https://www.kimbellart.org/index.aspx
Museum of Fine Arts Houston......................."Houston,TX"......some................http://www.mfah.org
Museum of Texas Tech University..................."Lubbock,TX"......no..................http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/
San Antonio Museum of Art........................."San Antonio,TX"..no..................http://www.samuseum.org/main/
Crow Collection of Asian Art......................"Dallas,TX".......under construction..http://www.crowcollection.org/
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Muscarelle Museum of Art William & Mary College..."Williamsburg,VA".some................http://www.wm.edu/muscarelle/
U. Virginia Art Museum............................"Charlottesville,VA"..some............http://www.virginia.edu/artmuseum/
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts......................"Richmond,VA".....some................http://www.vmfa.museum/
Washington
Seattle Asian Art Museum.........................."Seattle,WA"..........................http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitSAAM.asp
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Cambridge Historic Museum........................."Cambridge,WI"....no..................http://www.cambridgehistoricmuseum.org/
Logan Museum of Anthropology Beloit College......."Beloit, WI"......some................http://www.beloit.edu/logan/index.php
Wyoming
U. of Wyoming Art Musuem.........................."Laramie,WY"......no..................http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/

The current edition of "Arts of Asia" has a special feature on teh colelction of the University of Pennsylvania. The Museum there has housed a portion of its Chinese collection in a the Chinese Rotunda. I have attached a link to the Chinese collectioin below:

University of Pennsyvania Museum - Chinese collection

Did anybody go and see the exhibition of Chairman Mao badges and money at the British Museum this year? I did. Shall i upload a few photos if that's possible?

Was just surfing for pictures and came across this site.

the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago.

http://www.ccamuseum.org/Places.html

Part of what it is, is a historical tour of the buildings of Chinatown in Chigago.
Looks like something I will want to check out if and when I can get back to Chigago.

Great link- interestingly enough Chicago is the meeting city for the 2009 Association of Asian Studies conference.