The State Museum of Oriental Art
The State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow is the largest center in Russia for the study and preservation of the artistic heritage of the peoples of Asia, the Caucasus, and Africa. Its collections comprise over 150,000 items accumulated over more than a century. The museum was founded in 1918 and, after several relocations around the city, finally found its home in 1984 in the historic Lunin estate on Nikitsky Boulevard, an Empire-style architectural monument. The main exhibition is housed there, while the depository and a branch containing the Roerich family collection are located on the grounds of VDNKh. The museum’s permanent exhibition, featuring about five thousand objects, is organized by region and occupies three floors of the main building, offering a systematic overview of the art of various cultures. The Caucasus, Central Asia, and Kazakhstan are represented by traditional crafts such as jewelry, weapons, carpets, and paintings, including works by Niko Pirosmani and Martiros Saryan, as well as a rich collection of textiles such as Turkmen rugs, Uzbek coverlets, and felt items made by the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs. The Iranian collection is considered one of the richest and includes archaeological finds-most notably the famous Luristan bronzes-ceramics, calligraphy, and Persian carpets. Chinese art spans a vast period from the Neolithic era to the early 20th century and includes ancient ritual bronze vessels, jade discs, an extensive porcelain assembly, and unique inside-painted miniature snuff bottles. The Japanese exhibition displays Buddhist sculpture, tea-ceremony utensils, weapons, netsuke, and kimonos. Key exhibits include diplomatic gifts from Emperor Meiji to Nicholas II: an intricate ivory composition, “Eagle on a Pine,” and a ceremonial folding screen. The Indian collection numbers about three thousand items, including stone and metal sculptures, ceremonial objects, edged weapons with precious inlays, and textiles. Special attention is given to the art of Southeast Asia, whose collection began to form in the 1970s; it features Buddhist sculptures and decorative and applied arts from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and other countries. The museum also houses the Nicholas Roerich Memorial Room, which recreates the atmosphere of his Indian home and displays personal belongings, artifacts, and works by the artist. The museum conducts active educational programs. Its lecture hall hosts regular lecture series on mythology, history, art, and contemporary Eastern culture, delivered by the research staff. There are special programs for children. Additionally, the museum holds traditional Chinese and Tibetan tea ceremonies, where guests learn about the philosophy of the ritual and taste different varieties of tea. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions dedicated to contemporary art, archaeological discoveries, or decorative and applied arts from various countries. For details on events and exhibitions, opening hours, ticket prices, and whether advance booking is required, please consult the museum’s official website.
Address: Moscow, Nikitsky Boulevard, 12A, building 1
