In the Year of the Dragon, the art of China, Japan and Korea shines in a new ambience at the Linden-Museum. The exhibition presents archaic ritual bronzes from ancient China, burial objects from the Han to Tang dynasties (2nd century BC – 10th century AD), Buddhist art, masterpieces of Chinese ceramics, lacquer art from three millennia as well as highlights of classical Japanese, Chinese and Korean painting from the 17th – 19th centuries. There are also replicas of a Japanese teahouse and a traditional living room.

Burial cult and concepts of the afterlife in ancient China

This is followed by the extensive subject area of funerary cult and ideas of the afterlife in ancient China with ritual bronzes and grave goods. The model of a burial chamber gives an idea of the original use of such objects. Since many of the earliest achievements of ancient China were preserved primarily in the elaborately decorated tombs of high-ranking personalities, these very old objects are also presented here in an appropriate context.

Chinese ceramics

A major focus of the exhibition is the history and development of Chinese ceramics over the past 6,000 years. It begins with early finds of Neolithic ceramics – often burial objects – and traces the technical developments, glazes, styles and forms through the various historical periods of ancient China to the most delicate treasures of the finest porcelain. The trade in ceramics is also discussed, with objects salvaged from shipwrecks and export porcelains destined for the European market.

Japanese interiors

Japan is also represented with ceramics (especially tea ceramics), textiles and decorative arts made of various materials. Some of these are exhibited in replicas of a living room from the late Edo period (1603 – 1867), a lacquer studio and a tea house, reconstructed in collaboration with Japanese architects and scholars. The Lacquer Cabinet, which presents masterpieces of lacquer art from China, Japan and Korea, has reopened following renovation work.

Rotating painting displays

Another highlight of the exhibition is an area devoted to Japanese (13th – 19th century), Chinese (17th – 19th century) and occasionally Korean painting. Whether inspired by Zen Buddhism, legends of Daoist immortals, landscapes, court scenes, humorous art, calligraphy, or flowers and birds, be surprised by what is on view at the time of your visit. Because the works of East Asian painting can only be exposed to light for a limited period of time, we change these exhibits regularly. Each time, we set a new thematic focus in this exhibition area.