From swords to bells to statues and beyond, a grandiose and historic survey of the use of bronze in Asian art

Published with Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

Since the dawn of the first civilizations across the Asian continent, bronze has been used in a myriad of ways to create spectacular items now revered as works of art. Admired for its texture, sheen, durability, color and even its sound, the material was used to make every type of object, from weapons to bells to incense burners and statues of the Buddha or other religious figures. Surveying over 4,000 years of history, Asian Bronze highlights innovative works in bronze from China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal and Korea. Spectacular examples from the collections of the Rijksmuseum intermingle with historic loans from institutions across Asia, some of which have never left their country of origin. The result is an array of masterworks that highlights the craftsmanship of traditional artisans while fostering a new appreciation for bronze as a medium.