$60.00

0300146967

This exhibition of ancient and traditional Vietnamese art demonstrates the role of Vietnam as an important hub of cultural and commercial interchange from the prehistoric period in the first millennium BCE through the nineteenth century CE. As long as two thousand years ago, a maritime trade route extended from southern China to Roman-controlled ports in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, via ports in what is now northern Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Iran. As a result of this exchange, Vietnam developed unique art objects with connections to China, India, and other cultures of Southeast Asia. The exhibition will include approximately 115 spectacular examples selected from Vietnamese museums conveying the country’s impressive artistic developments and attesting to its importance in the cultural development of Southeast Asia. Objects range from early burial goods and large bronze ritual drums to gold jewelry with precious stones, Hindu and Buddhist stone sculptures, and beautifully decorated ceramics. This full-color catalogue accompanies the exhibition. Author: Nancy Tingley (Asia Society/MFA Houston/Yale, Apr 2009, HC, 356pp, 251 color illus. + 3 maps)

The New York Times says “The Asia Society Museum does itself proud with this show.” More information on previous exhibition