Lee Kang-hyo. Photo: Östasiatiska Museet.

Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities
– Explore China, Japan, Korea & India in Stockholm

Lee Kang-hyo. Photo: Östasiatiska Museet.
💡 Summary
Founded in 1926, Stockholm’s Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities houses one of Europe’s finest Asian art collections. From ancient Chinese bronzes to Japanese ukiyo-e prints and Korean celadon, the museum celebrates cultural traditions spanning 7,000 years.

Far Eastern Antiquities Museum: Asia’s timeless art

Set on Stockholm’s serene Skeppsholmen island, the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (Östasiatiska Museet) is a gateway to the artistic and cultural riches of East Asia. Founded in 1926, it houses one of Europe’s finest collections of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Indian art, spanning over 7,000 years of human creativity.

Explore a world of art and history

The museum’s expansive collection includes:

  • Ancient Chinese bronzes and ritual vessels
  • Refined Japanese samurai swords and ukiyo-e prints
  • Delicate Korean celadon and Buddhist art
  • South and Southeast Asian sculpture and textiles

These objects offer a profound look into the spiritual, social, and artistic traditions of the East.

From scholarship to cultural connection

More than an archive of artifacts, the museum is a dynamic cultural space hosting exhibitions, guided tours, and lectures that connect past and present. Visitors can engage with the enduring philosophies, rituals, and aesthetics that have shaped East Asian societies.

Johan Gunnar Andersson’s vision

Founded by Johan Gunnar Andersson, a Swedish archaeologist and sinologist, the museum is rooted in exploration and respect for cultural exchange. Andersson’s pioneering digs in China and generous donations laid the groundwork for this unique institution.

🏺 East Asia on Skeppsholmen
Founded in 1926 by explorer and sinologist Johan Gunnar Andersson, the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities offers a gateway to the rich civilizations of China, Japan, Korea, and South Asia. Housed in a former naval barracks on Skeppsholmen, the museum is renowned for its archaeological finds from Chinese digs and intricate artworks that span millennia. It’s a place where scholarly discovery meets cultural appreciation—bringing the depth and beauty of Asia’s heritage into a Nordic light.

Conclusion

Whether you’re an art connoisseur, historian, or curious traveler, the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities offers a deep and rewarding experience. Through timeless art and cultural storytelling, it bridges East and West in one of Stockholm’s most tranquil settings.

📍 Nearby attractions

Round out your visit to the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities with these nearby cultural gems on Skeppsholmen and Djurgården:

  • 🎨 Moderna Museet – Modern and contemporary masterpieces by artists like Picasso, Warhol, and Swedish icons.
  • 🚢 Vasa Museum – See the world’s best-preserved 17th-century warship in this immersive maritime museum.
  • 🏡 Skansen Open-Air Museum – Step into Swedish history with traditional houses, crafts, and Nordic wildlife.
  • 🖼️ National Museum of Fine Arts – Sweden’s premier art collection spanning centuries of creativity and style.

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🏛️ Did You Know?
In 1628, the mighty Vasa warship sank on its maiden voyage.