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Asian Department

The collections of the Asian Department cover a period of more than 5000 years, from 3,500 BC to the present day, and a huge region that encompasses China, Korea and Japan; South-East Asia, from Burma to Indonesia; Pakistan, India and the other countries of South Asia; Central Asia, from Tibet to the Caspian Sea; and the Middle East.

Thumbnail of Traditional dress from East Asia

Traditional dress from East Asia

Traditional clothing from the East Asian countries of Japan, China and Korea tends to conceal the form of the body. With some exceptions, it is the surface decoration of dress from Japan and China, and the striking plain colour combinations of Korean clothes that hold our attention.

Thumbnail of Sir Aurel Stein (1862-1943)

Sir Aurel Stein (1862-1943)

The Budapest-born Stein studied Sanskrit, Old Persian, Indology and philology at the universities of Vienna, Leipzig and Tübingen, and map-making as part of his military service in Budapest, before setting out for a career in India. His formal positions from 1888 onwards were as registrar of Punjab University and principal of the Oriental College, Lahore and principal of the Calcutta Madrasah. But his real passion was the exploration of Central Asia, China, India and the Middle East.

Thumbnail of The Mahasiddha Virupa

The Mahasiddha Virupa

This figure represents the Mahasiddha, or great yogic adept Virupa, who lived during the 9th century in north India. Such figures lived alone or with a consort and became renowned for their unconventional lifestyles.

Thumbnail of Porcelain City: Jingdezhen

Porcelain City: Jingdezhen

4 November 2011 – 25 March 2012. Porcelain City: Jingdezhen is a display of contemporary works in porcelain by four artists from the UK, Japan and China.

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Blue and White China Scarf

Blue and White China Scarf

This beautiful stylish China pattern scarf combines traditional Chinese designs in bold symbolic shades of blue

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Event - Gallery Play: Little Lights Theatre

Sat 14 August 2010–Sat 30 June 2012

PERFORMANCE: Enjoy the V&A collection with fun, interactive gallery performances for all the family.

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