The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities houses one of Europe’s most significant collections of East Asian art and archaeology. Its holdings span thousands of years, with a particular focus on Chinese history and material culture.
Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities: Asia’s Art in Stockholm
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 most important collections of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Indian art, spanning over 7,000 years of history and artistic expression.
- 🏛️ Type: Museum of East Asian art & archaeology
- 📍 Location: Skeppsholmen, central Stockholm
- 🗿 Collection size: 220,000+ objects
- 🌏 Focus: China, Japan, Korea & South Asia
- 📅 Founded: 1926
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.
A Cultural Bridge Between East and West
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.
For those interested in a broader cultural perspective, the Museum of Ethnography’s extensive global collections complement the Far Eastern Antiquities Museum’s focus on Asia.
📍 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.
