Introduction
The
Russian State Museum of Oriental Art was established 81 years
ago as a combination of private collections (Prokhara, Ostroukhov,
Faberge) related to the Far East and Middle Asia. The first exhibition
opened in 1919.
At
present the Museum holds 150,000 pieces: paintings, graphics,
sculpture, and handicrafts from more than 100 countries. There
are fine examples of art collected during expeditions to the Caucasus
(Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia), Middle Asia (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan,
Kirgizia), Chukotka, etc. The Museum also collects art pieces
from China, Japan, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, and Thailand. Some
of these pieces represent unique ancient and medieval Buddhist
culture, classical and modern painting (including pictures on
silk), lacquer boxes, textile and jewelery articles, carving,
miniature sculpture like "netske" and "okimono", weapons, metal
things, household utensils, etc.
Recently
an exhibition of famous painters and philosophers Nikolay and
Svyatoslav Rerikh has opened. The Museum also publishes brochures,
catalogs, books, etc., and promotes the study of eastern culture
through the Club of Young Oriental Researchers, which is attached
to the Museum. The Museum of Oriental Art itself has the status
of a scientific center.
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