Top Museums Worldwide for Southeast Asian Ceramics: Where to See Ancient Pottery and Porcelain
Where to Find Ceramic Museums and Public Collections
A Clear Guide for Ceramic Lovers Who Travel
This page is meant to help people who love ceramics find public collections and ceramic museums around the world. It’s a work in progress, and we’ll keep adding more places as we go. Everything listed here comes straight from the people in our community. Some pieces were written just for this, others were shared from older write-ups. That’s why the writing styles vary a bit from one to the next.
If you know about a good public collection or museum that focuses on ceramics, and you’d like to write about it, get in touch with us. Use the contact link at the bottom.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in Australia
Members of SEACS in Australia have sent in overviews of the country’s top public collections of ceramics and Asian art. These are detailed pages focused on specific locations, and each one has more information about what’s on display and how to visit.
You can explore ceramic works in several major galleries in Sydney. The Art Gallery of New South Wales has a solid collection. There’s also the Chau Chak Wing Museum, the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, and the Manly Art Gallery. Just outside of Sydney, the Wollongong Art Gallery holds the Mann-Tatlow Asian Art Collection.
Further out, the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra is worth visiting. It holds a wide range of ceramics from Southeast Asia. Holbrook in New South Wales is home to the National Museum of Australian Pottery. If you’re in Brisbane, you can visit the University of Queensland to see the Nat Yuen Collection. And in Adelaide, the Art Gallery of South Australia has a notable Southeast Asian Ceramic Collection.
Hamilton’s Art Gallery in Victoria also holds a strong Asian collection, especially known for its ceramics.
Each gallery focuses on a different region, style, or time period. Together, they give a full picture of how ceramic art has developed across Asia and how it's been appreciated in Australia.
Ceramic Art in Brunei
Kota Batu: Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum
If you’re in Brunei, head to Kota Batu and visit the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum. The main draw here is the collection from the Brunei Shipwreck. That ship went down around 1500 CE and wasn’t found until 1997 during a survey by Elf Petroleum (now part of Total). Most of the recovered pieces were ceramics—over 13,000 items in total.
Around 90 percent of the objects pulled from the wreck were export ceramics. Most came from China, but there are also examples from Vietnam, Thailand, and Burma. The cargo also included metal goods, glass items, beads, and even a few weapons.
Among the ceramics, two rare Yuan Dynasty pieces stand out. One is a small blue-and-white jar, and the other is a gourd-shaped ewer. There were also a few old Chinese firearms found at the site.
This museum doesn’t have an official website, but members who’ve visited say it’s worth the stop if you’re interested in ceramic history and trade routes. The collection gives a clear look at how widespread ceramic exchange was in the region.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in China
Gansu Province: Dunhuang’s Museums and Ancient Ceramics
If you’re in Gansu Province, don’t miss Dunhuang. This desert city has two top museums that give context to the Mogao Caves and the region’s long history. The Dunhuang Museum sits right in the middle of town at 1390 North Mingshashan Road. From the outside, it looks plain, but inside you’ll find cases filled with everyday items from ancient times. These show just how prosperous Dunhuang once was.
Before heading to the actual caves, go see the Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Centre. It was built by the Dunhuang Academy and the Getty Conservation Institute. This museum helps you understand how the caves were carved and painted, and how they looked when rediscovered. The displays are modern and well done, with plenty of English translations.
Lanzhou: The Gansu Provincial Museum
The Gansu Provincial Museum in Lanzhou is packed with history. It covers everything from Neolithic pottery to Tang Dynasty ceramics, bronzes, religious sculptures, and carved wood. It even houses the famous flying horse statue, one of China’s cultural icons. You’ll want to set aside at least two hours to take it all in.
Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces: Historic Kilns and Ceramic Museums
In southeastern China, Fujian and Jiangxi are rich with kiln sites and museums focused on ceramic history. One new spot to keep an eye on is the Shimao Maritime Silk Road Museum in Quanzhou. It was created by the Shimao Group and Beijing’s Palace Museum and focuses on ceramic trade along the Maritime Silk Road. More updates about it are expected.
Other key stops include the Jinjiang Museum in Qingyang and the Quanzhou Maritime Museum. Dehua is known for porcelain, and its Yueji kilns and modern ceramic art center make it a unique place to explore. In Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen is the heart of Chinese porcelain. There you can visit the Imperial Ceramics Museum, the Hutian Kiln Museum, and the Jiangxi Provincial Museum for a full picture of the region’s ceramic legacy.
Henan Province: Erlitou Museum and Early Bronze Age Ceramics
Henan’s Erlitou Museum focuses on bronze artifacts from around 1600 BCE, from what was once a fortified capital city. While it’s mainly known for bronze vessels, the museum also sheds light on early ceramic techniques. Without advanced pottery skills, these bronzes wouldn’t have existed. Clay molds were essential in shaping the detailed designs. So, even though ceramics aren’t the main event, they’re part of the story.
Shaanxi Province: The Shaanxi Archaeology Museum
The Shaanxi Archaeology Museum is the first of its kind in China. It opened with 5,800 square meters of indoor galleries and another 10,000 square meters outdoors. The collection focuses on finds from Shaanxi’s many archaeological digs. You’ll see ceramic figures from the Mausoleum of Emperor Wen of Han, along with pottery and burial artifacts from the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty.
New excavation technology has allowed for whole tomb murals and ancient horse-and-chariot pits to be lifted and preserved as one piece. Many of these pieces highlight how ceramic arts were used in burial customs and daily life across dynasties.
Shanghai Museum
The Shanghai Museum has one of the most important public collections of ancient Chinese ceramics. Its Ceramics Gallery covers over 1,300 square meters and fills seven full exhibition halls on the second floor. The range is huge. You’ll see pieces from the Neolithic period all the way to the late Qing Dynasty. This is a rare chance to trace the entire history of Chinese pottery in one place.
The museum also has a strong bronze collection on the first floor. It helps explain how early potters laid the groundwork for bronze casting in China. The building itself is modern and easy to navigate. There’s a solid gift shop with art books, supplies, and reproduction ceramics. You’ll also find a tea shop and some snack areas to take a break.
Aurora Museum in Pudong, Shanghai
Across the river in Pudong, the Aurora Museum offers a more personal look at Chinese antiquities. This six-story space was designed by Tadao Ando and opened as part of a private cultural program by Chen Yong-Tai, the head of Aurora Group. The museum’s focus is tight and clear: Chinese jade, Buddhist sculpture, and ceramics.
One of the strongest parts of the ceramic collection is the Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain. Alongside full pieces, they’ve also preserved important shards, which help show how these items were made and used. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 to 5. There’s an admission fee, and while it’s not as well-known as the Shanghai Museum, the collection is impressive and the space is beautifully designed.
Linan History Museum, Zhejiang Province
Head west of Hangzhou and you’ll find the Linan History Museum, which opened in 2019. It’s a new building, but the collection goes deep. It shows early chicken-headed ewers, ceramics from the Sui and Tang dynasties, and Tang and Northern Song mise ware, known as secret porcelain. The museum’s design was led by top Chinese architects Wang Shu and Lin Wenyu. The space itself is part of the experience.
More sections have opened since 2019, and each one expands on the story of ceramic development in the region. The exhibitions are sharp, the layout is modern, and the quality of the artefacts makes it one of the top destinations for ceramic history in Zhejiang.
Ceramic Museums in Germany
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg
In Hamburg, the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe holds a wide mix of art and design. This isn’t a leftover collection from a royal cabinet of curiosities. It’s a modern museum built around art, craft, and history. You’ll see everything from early instruments and ancient sculpture to porcelain from China and Europe.
One of the standout exhibitions was “Made in China,” which ran through August 2023. It focused on Chinese porcelain long before mass exports became common. The show included 180 pieces showing the growth of stoneware and the famous Ming blue and white porcelain.
A plate from the Yongle period stands out. It has underglaze cobalt blue floral patterns. The design mixes lotus, peony, chrysanthemum, and pomegranate forms into a flower type called Baoxianghua. It’s a perfect example of how beauty, meaning, and form come together in Chinese porcelain.
The museum also displays imperial ware and experiments from the Qianlong era. Some of these tried to reproduce the unique Ge stoneware glaze, known for its two-tone crackled surface.
Schloss Lustheim, near Munich
Just outside Munich, in Oberschleißheim, Schloss Lustheim holds one of the strongest porcelain collections in Germany. This building was a hunting lodge built in the late 1600s for Max Emanuel of Bavaria. Today, it houses over 2,000 pieces from Professor Ernst Schneider’s collection, one of the best outside Dresden.
You’ll see how Meissen porcelain developed from early Boettger earthenware to later high-fired examples. Each piece is displayed exactly as Schneider planned in his will.
One rare plate from the collection features red dragons. It was made for export to France, and the dealer who ordered it had the blue Meissen swords mark added on top of the glaze. That way, he could remove it and resell the plate as an older, original piece. Many of these were later seized and sent back to Dresden to decorate the Japanese Palace.
Lustheim also displays four life-sized ceramic animals, part of a larger set of 400 commissioned by Augustus the Strong. One of them is a parrot, made to show off the Meissen factory’s skills.
There’s also a famous set of seven vases known as the August Rex Vases. They’re decorated with flowers and animals meant to look “Asian,” and since they were made to sit flat against a wall, only the front sides are heavily detailed.
This site is part of the larger Schleißheim Palace complex, and it’s a must-see for anyone who wants a deeper look at European porcelain and how it connected with Asian art traditions.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in Meissen, Germany
Meissen is where the secret behind Chinese porcelain was first uncovered in Europe. This happened at Albrechtsburg Castle, which sits on a hill and dates back to the late 1400s. Inside the castle museum, you’ll find a gallery showing both Chinese porcelain and Dehua pieces that were used as models by Böttger, the man credited with figuring out the porcelain formula. The museum also displays some of his earliest attempts at recreating porcelain.
Just a short walk from the castle is the Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen factory. It opened in 1710 and still operates today. There’s a museum area with a collection of Meissen ceramics that trace the brand’s long history. The factory is also known for its gift shop, which gets a lot of visitors. People come here to learn, shop, and see where European porcelain really began.
Ceramic History at the National Museum in Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta’s National Museum once held the massive ceramic collection of E. W. van Orsoy de Flines, a Dutch collector who donated over 6,000 pieces. Many of those ceramics were damaged or lost while on loan to other countries, and the rest of the collection is no longer on display. It’s not clear if or when it will be viewable again.
This collection included important Chinese export pieces. Among them was a large early Ming charger with underglaze blue decoration, found in Jambi, Sumatra. There was also another major find: a 17th-century Swatow plate painted in overglaze enamel and covered in Arabic script, also from Sumatra. A green-glazed water jar from the Tang dynasty, dating to the 9th century, was likely brought to the area by Chinese Buddhist priests sometime between the 7th and 10th centuries. These ceramics showed the deep connection between Chinese art and Southeast Asian trade and culture.
Ceramic Treasures in Dublin, Ireland
In Dublin, the National Museum of Ireland’s Decorative Arts and History branch at Collins Barracks holds a key piece of ceramic history. The Gaignières-Fonthill Vase, which dates back to somewhere between 1300 and 1340, is thought to be the first piece of Chinese porcelain to ever reach the West. It was acquired during the Hamilton Palace auction in 1882 and is now a highlight of the museum’s permanent collection.
The museum is inside a former military barracks and holds a wide range of Asian art. There are Tibetan tangkas and Chinese ceramics, mostly from the Qing era, with some older Han and Tang dynasty pieces as well. Many of these came from Albert Bender, an Irish-American collector who donated them to the museum. The Collins Barracks location is on Benburb Street in Dublin.
Exploring Arita Ceramics at the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, Japan
In Arita, located in Kyushu, the Kyushu Ceramic Museum focuses entirely on Arita ware. This museum holds regular special exhibitions and has earned praise for its focused and rotating displays. The exhibitions explore the rich history of porcelain production in the area, going back hundreds of years. It’s a must-visit for anyone serious about Japanese ceramics.
Echizen Ceramics and Museums in Fukui, Japan
Echizen Pottery Village in Fukui Prefecture is set in a peaceful park surrounded by ceramic sculptures. Inside the village, you’ll find the Fukui Prefectural Museum of Ceramics, which gives a complete overview of Echizen pottery. The museum has large galleries on two floors, with everything from early examples to more modern interpretations.
Next to it, the Co-operative Association gallery sells Echizen pottery, and there’s a working kiln where you can see how it’s made. The Old Kiln Museum is close by and showcases old pieces that reflect the long local tradition. You’ll also find a soba restaurant on the grounds and a great museum shop with views of a landscaped garden.
This village is in a remote spot, so getting there takes some planning. The closest station is Takefu, which is on the Osaka-Kyoto-Kanazawa rail line. From there, you’ll need to take a rare bus, then walk ten minutes to reach the site. Still, it’s one of the best places in Japan to experience traditional pottery in its original setting.
Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Hagi sits on the southwest corner of Honshu and is one of Japan’s best-known pottery towns. It’s known for Hagi ware, and the town has more than one ceramic museum worth seeing. The main one is the Hagi Uragami Museum. This place has a strong lineup of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese pottery. There’s also a permanent display of ukiyo-e prints. In 2010, they added a dedicated ceramics wing that focuses mostly on local Hagi ware.
The museum is in the center of town, close to the historic samurai district, which makes it easy to include in a walking tour. You’ll find it marked on most local maps.
Furuta Oribe Museum, Kyoto
In Kyoto, head up north to Kitayama Street to find the Furuta Oribe Museum. It opened in 2014 and sits in a small basement gallery across from the Botanical Gardens. This museum is named after the tea master Furuta Oribe, who followed Sen no Rikyū. It holds a private collection focused on tea culture, with rotating exhibits that often feature top-tier ceramic pieces.
The space is small, but the quality is high. The area around the museum also has some nice restaurants and bakeries, so you can easily turn it into a half-day outing. To get there, take the Karasuma Line to Kitayama Station, then walk west for a few minutes.
Raku Museum, Kyoto
The Raku Museum in Kyoto is a must-see if you're into Japanese tea ceramics. It’s part of the same compound as the Raku family’s historic home and workshop. This family has been making Raku ware for over 16 generations, going back to Chojiro, who crafted bowls for Sen no Rikyū.
Exhibits here change throughout the year, and all the pieces on display come from different generations of the Raku family. The museum provides excellent English translations, both in the captions and through tablets available to visitors. It’s tucked into a residential neighborhood in northwest Kyoto. Use GPS or hop on the No.12 bus to get there.
Sagawa Art Museum, Near Kyoto
The Sagawa Art Museum is outside Kyoto but still close enough for a short trip. It’s located near Lake Biwa, at the southern edge, and the nearest train stop is Katata Station. From there, it’s a short bus ride to the museum.
The building is a striking sight. It looks like it’s floating in water, and the main ceramic galleries are hidden underground. These spaces were designed by Raku Kichizaemon XV to showcase his own work and pieces from fellow artists. The museum also offers guided tours of modern tea rooms he created, though you’ll need to book ahead for those. There’s an on-site cafe, and the museum is friendly to English-speaking visitors.
Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga Prefecture
To the east of Kyoto, in the Kōka District of Shiga Prefecture, you’ll find the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. This is the heart of Shigaraki ware. Getting there by train from Kyoto takes some effort, with a few transfers, but it’s doable and worth it. Once you arrive at Shigaraki Station, take a quick taxi ride to the park.
The park is built into a hillside and split across three levels. The middle level has a large shop, a cafe, and a restaurant. From there, walk uphill to the exhibition hall, which hosts major ceramics shows and gives you a great view of the area. On the lower level, you’ll see pottery studios used by artists from all over the world, plus a working climbing kiln. The aerial video on the museum’s homepage gives a clear picture of what the park looks like from above.
Each of these places offers a different view of Japanese ceramics, from local traditional styles to modern studio work. Whether you’re into tea culture, sculpture, or just want to see how pottery has evolved, Japan’s ceramic museums and collections give you plenty to explore.
Miho Museum in the Shigaraki Hills
The Miho Museum sits about 15 to 20 minutes northwest of Shigaraki by car. If you're coming from Kyoto without a car, take the train to Ishiyama Station, then catch the museum's dedicated bus. Designed by I.M. Pei, the building itself is part of the experience. It's set deep in the hills, with much of it built underground. You get there through a long tunnel carved into the mountain.
The museum's collection covers many types of art, and ceramics are part of that. But if you're visiting only for the ceramics, check ahead to see what’s on display. The exhibits rotate, so the pieces on view can vary. The museum closes for winter from December through March. Plan accordingly if you’re visiting during colder months.
Marubashira: Heart of Iga Ware
South of Shigaraki, near the Shiga and Mie border, is Marubashira. This small village is the home of Iga ware. It’s about 20 minutes from Shigaraki town and filled mostly with pottery workshops and stores.
The Iga Yaki Traditional Industry Center may not sound like much, but it houses a solid display of local ceramic work. A few minutes away, the Yamahon Gallery offers curated exhibits in a simple, modern setting. The gallery also has a Kyoto branch and a nice café if you need a break. This area is quiet, rural, and centered around traditional pottery.
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Osaka
In central Osaka, you’ll find the Museum of Oriental Ceramics. It reopened in April 2014 after years of renovations and is now one of the best places in Japan to see Asian ceramics. If you’re serious about ceramics — whether you're a collector, researcher, or just a fan — don’t skip it.
The museum focuses on Chinese, Korean, and Japanese ceramics. The displays are well lit, the layout is clean, and mirrors or rotating stands help you see each piece clearly. There are English and Japanese descriptions, and you can use a chest-level bar to rest while looking or taking photos. It’s a small touch, but it makes a difference.
They also offer headphone tours. The museum includes a gift shop, a café, and plenty of spots to sit. It's close to public transport, right in the city, and definitely worth the admission fee.
Yuki Museum: Tea Ceremony Ceramics in Osaka
Also in Osaka, tucked just off the busy Mido-suji street, is the Yuki Museum. This private museum opened in 1987 and holds the personal collection of Teiichi Yuki, who also founded the famous restaurant Kitcho. His collection focuses on tea ceremony items, and many of the ceramics are rare and valuable.
The museum is quiet and calm. It’s a good spot if you want a more intimate experience. Exhibits change with the seasons, so there’s always something different to see. You’ll find it between Yodoyabashi and Honmachi subway stations, not far from the center of town.
Hyogo Prefectural Ceramics Museum in Tachikui
Tachikui is a small village in the countryside of Hyogo Prefecture, known for its strong connection to Tamba pottery. Even though it’s remote, the village is home to the Hyogo Prefectural Ceramics Museum, a modern facility that features high-quality exhibitions. The museum includes both historic Tamba ware and rotating shows that rival big city museums.
Right next to the museum is the Tamba Traditional Craft Park, which also has ceramic exhibits. If you walk into the village itself, you’ll find working studios, pottery shops, and one of the region’s best-known climbing kilns, the noborigama.
You can get there without a car by taking the train to Aino Station. From there, a bus runs straight to the museum. It's a peaceful place that offers a full view of local ceramic history and ongoing craft traditions.
Seto City: A Historic Center for Ceramics in Aichi Prefecture
Seto City sits just outside Nagoya, right in the heart of Aichi Prefecture. This area is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous pottery centers, known for over a thousand years of ceramic production. If you're traveling through central Honshu and want to explore Japanese ceramic history up close, this city is the place to go.
Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum
Located in Minami-Yamaguchi Town, the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum tells the story of Japanese ceramics from ancient times to the present day. The museum holds a wide collection of works, from prehistoric pottery to modern studio ceramics.
Visitors can explore the exhibits, join hands-on sessions in the on-site craft studio, or take a break in the restaurant and teahouse. The teahouse serves traditional Japanese tea using bowls made by local ceramic artists. The museum gives a full picture of how ceramics have evolved in Japan, both in technique and design.
Seto-Gura Museum
The Seto-Gura Museum focuses on the long history of ceramics in Seto. It recreates what the town looked like hundreds of years ago. You’ll see old kilns, workshops, and streets designed to feel like Seto in its prime. This setup gives a clear idea of what daily life in a pottery town used to be like.
It’s just a short walk from Owari Seto Station on the Meitetsu Railway’s Seto Line. Once you exit the station, cross the Seto River bridge, turn left, and walk about five minutes. The museum sits in a central spot where you’ll also find shops selling ceramics made by current Seto artists.
Seto Municipal Art Museum
This museum is inside the Seto City Cultural Center. It runs both permanent and special exhibitions, not just on ceramics but also on broader fine arts. A major draw here is the large-scale ceramic installations, including works by well-known artists like Tokuro Kato and Goro Kawamoto. These pieces are displayed in the Culture Hall and Fureai Hall.
The museum gives you a chance to see how traditional craftsmanship blends with large contemporary expressions in clay. It’s another key stop for anyone serious about understanding the depth of Japanese ceramic art.
Tokyo: Ceramic Treasures in Japan’s Capital - Nezu Museum
The Nezu Museum in Aoyama is known for both its art collection and its peaceful garden. Located in a quiet part of Tokyo, this museum was designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Inside, the building is calm and open, with natural light flowing through every gallery.
The museum holds one of Japan’s top private collections, with many pieces marked as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. Ceramics often take center stage in exhibitions here, and even when they don’t, you can always find fine tea utensils in the permanent display upstairs. The museum shop and café, located in the garden area, make this a calm and complete visit.
Gotoh Museum
The Gotoh Museum opened in 1960 and holds a strong collection of Japanese and East Asian art. It’s tucked away in the southwest suburbs of Tokyo, so getting there takes a little effort. But if you’re able to visit during a ceramics exhibition, it’s well worth the trip.
The collection includes standout pieces like the famous Yabure-bukuro, a rare and prized water jar. The grounds are quiet and green, great for a stroll before or after your museum visit. There's a shop with books and prints, though no café or restaurant is available on-site.
Mitsui Memorial Museum
In the Nihonbashi district of central Tokyo, the Mitsui Memorial Museum showcases fine Japanese art, with a special focus on tea ceremony items. Many of their exhibits include historic ceramics, and the pieces on display are always of top quality.
The museum is located in the old Mitsui building but can be accessed through the lobby of the nearby Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower. After touring the galleries, visitors can check out the small shop and relax at the museum café, which offers simple but well-prepared meals.
Tokyo: The Japan Folkcrafts Museum (Mingeikan)
The Japan Folkcrafts Museum, often called the Mingeikan, sits just a short train ride from Shibuya Station in Tokyo. The building itself has charm, and across the street is the old home of the museum’s founder, Yanagi Soetsu. Yanagi helped lead the Mingei movement, which honored everyday handcrafts and the beauty found in functional objects made by unknown artisans.
Inside, the museum showcases work by these anonymous craftspeople. The ceramic collection is a key part of this. It reflects the quiet skill and design of folk pottery from different regions of Japan. If you care about traditional design or ceramics with cultural weight, it’s worth the trip.
Osaka: Mingeikan Folk Craft Museum
There’s another Mingeikan in Osaka. It’s a bit out of the way, located in the 1970 Expo Park on the city’s northern edge. Still, if you can make the trip, it offers a strong collection. One gallery focuses on the work of Hamada Shoji, one of Japan’s most respected folk potters. His work shows clear links to both the Mingei tradition and modern studio pottery. For fans of Hamada’s work, this gallery is a highlight.
Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Right in Kuala Lumpur, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia houses a well-rounded ceramics section. One standout piece is a Chinese export jar from the Zhengde Period (1506 to 1521), decorated in overglaze iron-red with Arabic script. That glaze style was still new at the time, which makes the jar important from both a technical and artistic angle.
Another item that catches the eye is a 16th-century Ming wucai ewer. The museum gives clear labels in both English and Bahasa Malaysia, which makes it easy to follow the story behind each piece. The space is quiet and well-curated, and the ceramics are displayed with care. It’s a solid stop for anyone interested in Islamic art or Chinese export ware.
Georgetown, Malaysia: Straits & Oriental Museum
In the middle of Georgetown’s colonial area, you’ll find the Straits & Oriental Museum. It’s a small, private space but packed with rare finds. The focus is on Chinese shipwreck ceramics pulled from trade routes, so many of the pieces have actual maritime history tied to them. You’ll also see older works from dynasties like Han, Tang, and Song.
The museum is only a few doors down from one of Georgetown’s well-known Peranakan restaurants, making it easy to add to your visit. It’s a great spot for anyone drawn to ceramics tied to real journeys and lost cargo.
Leeuwarden, Netherlands: Princessehof Ceramics Museum
The Princessehof Ceramics Museum in Leeuwarden holds Europe’s largest collection of Zhangzhou, or Swatow, export ceramics. These pieces were once traded widely across Southeast Asia. Many of the ones in this museum came from Sumatra and were collected in the 1800s by Dutch engineer Dirk Verbeek.
The building itself was once a palace built in 1693. Later, it became the home of Marie Louise, dowager Princess of Orange. The space is as historic as the ceramics inside. It’s one of the top places in Europe to see Chinese export ware with roots in Southeast Asian trade.
Cebu, Philippines: First National Museum of Cebu
Cebu’s new National Museum opened on August 1, 2023, inside the old Aduana building at Plaza Independencia. That building has deep roots in trade, built in 1910, and it even survived bombings during World War II. It was damaged in the 2013 earthquake but later restored and turned into a museum. A deal signed in 2019 gave the museum access to use the site for 25 years.
The museum now offers five galleries. One of them, Paglawig, traces Cebu’s sea trade and its place in the Philippine Revolution. Another section may now house part of the “Treasures of the San Diego” collection. That 1600 shipwreck near Luzon gave up over 35,000 artifacts, including more than 5,000 blue-and-white ceramics and 800 jars. These items came from a trade ship sunk during battle with the Dutch and were first shown in the Manila museum. If they’ve been moved to Cebu, they make this museum a key stop for ceramic history in the Philippines.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in Manila - Ayala Museum
The Ayala Museum in Makati, Metro Manila, is one of the best-run private museums in the Philippines. It’s clean, modern, and designed with care. The Ayala Foundation oversees it, and the building itself makes a strong impression. The museum covers many parts of Philippine history and culture, but its ceramic collection stands out.
There are about 500 ceramic pieces in the Villanueva Collection. These include Chinese and other Asian export wares found across the Philippines. Most are from shipwrecks and trade, showing the country’s long role in maritime exchange.
Display cases include magnifying glasses so you can study each detail. There are also touchscreen guides. You’ll also find books and publications about ceramics, thanks to a donation from John D. Forbes. The museum’s other sections focus on archaeology, ethnography, religion, and Philippine art. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening. While you’re there, make time for the gold collection, which is just as impressive.
University of Santo Tomas Museum
The University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences is the oldest still-existing museum in the Philippines. It’s quiet and small but has a strong selection of early ceramics. You’ll find Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese export ware from pre-colonial times.
The ceramic display is on the upper floor. The items help trace the trade routes that once passed through the islands, proving that the Philippines was a key point in Asian maritime exchange. The museum reopened in 2022 and now follows a set schedule. It’s open Monday from 10 to 4:30 and Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. It’s closed on weekends.
Bahay Tsinoy: Museum of Chinese in Philippine Life
Bahay Tsinoy is a small historical museum in Intramuros, Manila. It tells the story of Chinese life in the Philippines, especially in the Parian during the Spanish colonial period. It also shows how the Chinese community evolved over time.
One section, the Ching Ban Lee Porcelain Gallery, displays Chinese ceramics from the 10th to the 17th centuries. All of these pieces were found in the Philippines. They’re proof of the deep and early links between Chinese merchants and Filipino communities. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. You’ll find it at the corner of Anda and Cabildo Streets in Intramuros.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in Lisbon
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon is based on the private collection of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian. He lived from 1869 to 1955 and built one of the most important art collections in the world. The museum holds works from different places and time periods, starting from ancient times up to the early 20th century.
The collection includes ceramics from the Islamic world, China, and Japan. The layout follows a clear path through time and space, so you get a full picture of how ceramic art evolved. The museum is closed on Tuesdays but open the rest of the week from 10 to 6. There’s also a museum app with audio guides in several languages, including English and Portuguese.
Medeiros e Almeida Museum
The Medeiros e Almeida Museum is right in the center of Lisbon. One of its most valuable groups of objects is its Chinese ceramic collection. There are about 1500 pieces here, ranging from the Han Dynasty to the end of the Qing. The ceramics include mingqi tomb goods, imperial wares, and export pieces made for both Chinese and European markets.
The museum also has early “first commissions,” a rare group of Chinese porcelains made with both Chinese and Portuguese designs. These are some of the earliest known examples of Chinese export ceramics made for Europe, showing how Portuguese trade shaped ceramic art.
This museum was built around the collection of António de Medeiros e Almeida, a Portuguese businessman who died in 1986. His full collection includes furniture, textiles, sculpture, paintings, watches, jewelry, and religious art, spanning from the 2nd century BCE to the 20th century CE.
Sao Roque Museum
The Museum of Sao Roque is set inside what was once a Jesuit house beside the Church of Sao Roque in Lisbon. While it doesn’t focus on ceramics, it has a few valuable pieces. Most of its strength lies in religious art brought to Portugal from Asia during the 1500s. The museum holds a wide range of sacred objects and decorative arts.
If you're already exploring Lisbon’s museums, it’s worth stopping by, especially if you’re interested in how religion and colonialism shaped global art. Opening times vary by season, but it usually runs Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 6. There’s a fee to enter.
Museu do Oriente
The Museu do Oriente is focused on Asian objects brought to Portugal. It has a large collection from the 16th to 18th centuries, and it shows the depth of trade between Europe and Asia during that time. The ceramics are one of the highlights.
There’s a strong focus on the “tobacco leaf” pattern, as well as Portuguese faience. The museum also includes textiles, lacquer, and furniture, all part of the goods that made Lisbon a global trading capital during the Age of Exploration. The museum is open from 10 to 6, Tuesday through Sunday. Entry is free on Friday evenings from 6 to 8.
Ceramic Museums and Public Collections in Singapore
Singapore has two top museums worth visiting if you're into ceramics.
The first is the NUS Museum at the National University of Singapore. It sits at 50 Kent Ridge Crescent and holds a strong collection of Chinese ceramics. The display tracks how Chinese ceramics developed across time and regions, including pieces tied to specific kiln sites. You’ll also find examples from Southeast Asia and a good number of Peranakan wares. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening. It’s closed Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. There’s a university parking lot right next to it, and it’s open to the public.
The second museum is the Asian Civilisations Museum. Their third floor has a Chinese ceramics gallery with a solid selection that spans from Han to Qing. It’s not a huge display, but it includes one of the largest blanc de Chine collections in all of Asia. Downstairs, the Trade Gallery on the first floor holds a much broader mix. It includes trade ceramics from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and China. You’ll also see Chinese export ware like kraak, bencharong, Swatow, peranakan, and even armorial pieces.
The highlight here is the Belitung Shipwreck Gallery. It tells the story of an Arab dhow that sank around 826 CE, packed with Chinese ceramics from Changsha, Yue, Xing, Ding, and Gongxian. There's also a smaller side room showing ceramics found in and around Singapore waters. These include finds from the Temasek Wreck, possibly dating to the Yuan period, and from the 1796 Shah Muncher wreck.
Ceramic Museums in South Africa
In Johannesburg, head to the Johannesburg Art Gallery. It's one of the biggest public art collections in the country. Most of what’s on display are European paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries, but the gallery also holds a few examples of Swatow ware. These Chinese export ceramics are a niche but interesting part of the collection. The building itself and the size of the overall collection make it worth the visit if you're nearby.
Ceramic Collections in Switzerland
Geneva is home to the Baur Foundation, or the Museum of Far Eastern Art. The collection was built over 45 years by Alfred Baur and focuses on Chinese imperial ceramics. You’ll also find Japanese art, lacquerware, sword fittings, jade, snuff bottles, and netsuke. The museum is inside a well-preserved 19th-century townhouse at 8 Rue Munier-Romilly. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday, between 2 and 6 in the afternoon.
They also sell a two-volume book set by John Ayers that covers the Baur Chinese ceramics collection. You can buy it at their shop or online. If you’re interested in high-quality Chinese ceramics from a private European collection, this museum is a solid stop.
Ceramics in Sweden
Stockholm has a few places worth checking out if you're into ceramics, starting with the Hallwyl Museum. It used to be a private home, owned by Countess Wilhelmina von Hallwyl, who was a big-time collector. She gave the whole place and all its contents to the public, with one rule: nothing could be moved or changed. So, the house stands exactly how it was when she died in 1920.
You’ll see over 500 pieces each of European and East Asian ceramics. The Chinese collection starts from the Bronze Age. The European ceramics start in the 1600s, with highlights like a rare white porcelain Meissen group by Kandler. There are also early Nymphenburg porcelain figures from the 1700s, partly hidden by a modern ceramic cat stuck in front of them. The curators can’t move it, because of the museum’s founding condition to leave everything untouched.
Just a short walk from the Hallwyl Museum is the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. Entry is free. The main exhibit is focused on Bronze Age Chinese ceramics found by Swedish archaeologist Johan Andersson. The museum holds pieces from many Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, and India. Among the Chinese works is the so-called “mistake plate,” which is part of a dinner service also shown in the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore.
There’s also the Vasa Museum nearby. It's one of Stockholm’s main tourist sites. The 17th-century warship Vasa sank just minutes into its first trip in 1628. The museum preserves what was recovered, including the sails and rigging. It’s a striking exhibition, but it doesn’t include any ceramics.
If you’re in Stockholm and want to see both European and Asian ceramic history in one place, make time for the Hallwyl Museum and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. Each one gives a different view of how ceramics shaped art and culture.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in Thailand
Bangkok: The Jim Thompson House
The Jim Thompson House is right in the heart of Bangkok. It used to be the home of Jim Thompson, an American businessman who played a big role in reviving Thailand’s silk industry. He vanished without a trace while visiting the Cameron Highlands. That trip happened to be hosted by Helen Ling, the first president of the Southeast Asian Ceramic Society.
Today, Thompson’s old home is a museum. It holds a wide mix of traditional Thai crafts, and ceramics are a big part of it. One standout is the Bencharong Room. It sits just off the entrance hall, in what used to be the kitchen. Inside, you'll find a large group of Bencharong enamelware. These porcelain pieces were made in China from the 1600s onward, but they were designed specifically for Thai tastes. The patterns are full of local symbols and detailed backgrounds. Thompson’s Bencharong collection is one of the biggest in Thailand, with examples from many styles and time periods.
Bangkok: The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum
Bangkok University is home to the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum. It opened in 2000 to celebrate the school’s 40th anniversary. The museum started with a major donation of ancient ceramics from Surat Osathanugrah, the university’s founder. His goal was to help more people understand and respect Thailand’s ceramic history.
At first, it was simply called the Bangkok University Museum. But in 2002, they built a new space underground, attached to the Surat Osathanugrah Library. The idea came from the shape of old Thai kilns, which were often dug partly into the earth. That inspired the design.
The museum now includes both permanent and rotating exhibits. The displays are well-organized and clearly labeled. There's also a shop, a reading room, and a ceramic shard archive. Roxanna M. Brown once served as the museum's curator.
The campus is about a 30-minute drive from central Bangkok.
Nakhon Si Thammarat: The Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum
Nakhon Si Thammarat, down in southern Thailand, was once a vital part of global trade. Long before European or Chinese ships got there, Indian traders were sailing the coast. They didn’t just bring goods, but also ideas and beliefs that left a deep impact. The history of this region shows up in ruins and sites like Chaiya and Khao San Gaeo. Many of the finds from these areas have ended up in the region's museums and temples.
The Nakhon Si Thammarat National Museum opened in 1974. It holds a mix of religious statues, tools, and household items from different points in time. There’s a good number of ceramic pieces, both made locally and brought in through trade. Many were found during digs across the coast. The collection also includes a large number of ancient beads.
The museum sits on Rachadamnoen Road, right in the center of town.
Ceramic Collections in the United Kingdom
London: The British Museum
The British Museum in London holds one of the most famous ceramic collections in the world. Inside the Sir Joseph Hotung Centre for Ceramic Studies, visitors can view the Sir Percival David Collection. This group includes many rare and historic Chinese ceramics, with some of the most iconic pieces ever made.
Among them are the David Vases, dated to 1351. These blue-and-white porcelain vases are well known in the world of Chinese art. They’re often used as a reference point in dating and studying early Ming Dynasty porcelain. The vases stand out not just for their age, but also for their detailed inscriptions and high level of craftsmanship.
Bath: The Museum of East Asian Art
In the city of Bath, the Museum of East Asian Art is located at 12 Bennett Street. It holds a focused collection of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean works, including a strong showing of ceramics. While it’s smaller than London’s major museums, the quality and depth of the collection make it a valuable stop for anyone interested in East Asian pottery and porcelain.
This museum is known for presenting its pieces in a clear and thoughtful way, making it easy to appreciate the history and meaning behind the work.
Ceramic Museums and Collections in the United States
Michigan: Ceramic Finds from the Philippines in Ann Arbor
In Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan holds the Carl Guthe Collection, known for its large group of Zhangzhou, also called Swatow, ceramics. These were excavated from archaeological sites in the Philippines. The pieces are part of the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology, which focuses on global anthropology and archaeology. This museum is part of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. While it mainly serves as a research and teaching center, it does welcome public visitors, classes, and scholars by appointment. If you're interested in historical Asian trade ceramics and their spread across Southeast Asia, this is a good place to explore.
New York: Vietnamese Ceramics and East Asian Art in Ithaca
At Cornell University in Ithaca, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art has a strong Asian collection. Most of the works come from China and Japan, but there are also pieces from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Western Asia.
One collection that stands out is the Menke Collection of Vietnamese ceramics. It includes 57 ceramic objects that span from the Dong Son period, around 700 BCE, up to the 1600s. The collection was built by John R. Menke, a nuclear physicist, over more than forty years. The ceramics include bowls, jars, and vases that show the long history and wide variety of Vietnamese ceramic styles. These pieces offer insight into early Southeast Asian pottery and how it evolved over centuries.
The Johnson Museum is located at 114 Central Avenue in Ithaca, New York. It’s open to the public and offers more information about their exhibitions online.
Oregon: Asian Ceramics in Portland’s Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum in downtown Portland, Oregon, holds a surprisingly broad mix of Asian ceramic works. This includes Japanese Hizen and Joseon ceramics, lusterware from Iran, Han Dynasty funerary pieces, and blue-and-white ware from China and Vietnam dating to the 1300s and 1400s.
Their online collection is especially useful. Many pieces are shown from different angles, which helps researchers and collectors study the details. The photos are sharp and clear, which makes it easier to look at the glaze, shape, and design of each item. The museum is located on the Park Blocks in downtown Portland and is easy to reach by foot or public transport. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 in the morning until 5 in the evening.
Vietnam: Ceramic Heritage in Haiphong and Hoi An
Haiphong: Archaeological Ceramics and Port History
The Haiphong City Museum sits in a colonial-era building and focuses on the city’s history. While the ceramic collection is small, it includes pieces from local sites like Trang Kenh and the Viet Khe Tombs. These finds show Haiphong’s role in Vietnam’s trade history, especially during the 1400s and 1500s when the region was known for blue-and-white ceramics.
One famous discovery tied to the area was made by Hobson, who found a marked ceramic bottle in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The inscription named the potter, a woman from Nam Sach district near Haiphong. This small but important detail helped highlight the region’s place in the wider story of Vietnamese ceramic exports.
The museum is at 66 Điện Biên Phủ, Minh Khai, Hồng Bàng, in Haiphong. Note that it closes for lunch between 10:30 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.
Hoi An: Trade Ceramics and Traditional Pottery
In Hoi An, you’ll find the Hoi An Trading Ceramic Museum at 80 Trần Phú Street. The museum is set in a restored wooden house and tells the story of Hoi An as a busy trade port. Merchants from China, Southeast Asia, and beyond passed through here, bringing goods and ceramics with them.
Just a short bike ride away from Hoi An’s Old Town is the Thanh Ha pottery village. This small riverside village has been making pottery since the 1600s. The potters still use the same methods passed down for generations: shaping by hand and throwing on a wheel. Their work is known for its detail and craftsmanship. In 2019, the village was officially recognized as part of Vietnam’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage. It remains one of the best places to see traditional pottery-making in action.
The Special Asian Blog Collection:
1. Ceramic Production in Southeast Asia: Historical Periods, Styles, and Techniques
2. History of Ceramics in the Malay Region: Ancient Pottery, Cultural Heritage, and Trade in Southeast Asia
3. Vietnamese Ceramics History: Ancient Pottery, Trade, and Craftsmanship
4. Traditional Philippine Pottery: Tapayan Jars, Earthenware, and Indigenous Ceramic Heritage
5. History of Thai Ceramics and Traditional Pottery Art
6. Southeast Asian Ceramics: Khmer, Lao, and Burmese Pottery Traditions
7. Historic Southeast Asian Shipwrecks with Ancient Ceramics: Maritime Trade and Sunken Treasures
8. Top Museums in Asia for Southeast Asian Ceramics: Where to See Ancient Pottery and Porcelain
