Although the Asia department was founded only 100 years ago, the MAK has presented expertise in the field of Asian decorative arts since its founding. Already in 1900, the MAK owned a notable collection documenting the highlights of Asian cultures. The foundation of today’s wide ranging Asia Collection was laid in 1907, when it was significantly enriched by the acquisition of the former Imperial and Royal Austrian Museum of Trade. With this acquisition, Heinrich Siebold’s extensive Japan collection was also transferred to the MAK.
 

Ceramics, Lacquer and Katagami Stencils

Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer works, Japanese colored woodcuts, and Japanese printing stencils (katagami) are the focal points of today’s Asia Collection. Furthermore, the MAK houses one of the most important collections of the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair. Outstanding examples with regard to art and art history from this group of objects include works by ceramic artist KAWAMOTO Masukichi (1831–1907) as well as lacquer artist HASHIMOTO Ichizō (1817–1882).
 
The collection of East Asian ceramics from different epochs illustrates the impressive diversity of this kind of art form from its beginnings. The collection focuses on the 18th century, which is considered the peak of ceramic production. The most valuable pieces include an early blue-and-white plate from the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), Chinese porcelain from the Kangxi period (1666–1722) from the collection of Augustus the Strong, as well as tea ceramics from Japan.
 
The collection of Japanese lacquer works contains objects from the early 17th century and is particularly rich in examples from the Meiji period (1868–1912). With roughly 10,000 objects, the collection of Japanese printing stencils is worldwide one of the largest of its kind. It provides an impressive overview of the production, coloring techniques, and ornamental history of katagami, which has been in use in Japan as a respected craft for coloring leather, fabric, and paper since the 7th century.
 

Colored Woodcuts

Counting approximately 4,200 sheets, the Japanese colored woodcut collection is one of the most important Ukiyoe collections in Europe and one of the larger collection blocks of the MAK. The majority of the sheets comes from private collections including the Anton Exner, Richard Lieben, and Heinrich Siebold collections. The MAK’s Ukiyoe collection contains works by roughly 200 artists. These works were created between the late 17th century and the 20th century and significantly influenced the development of European modernity.