Baur House Museum of Asian Arts, Geneva

Baur House Museum of Asian Arts, Geneva

Fondation Baur is the largest museum in the country dedicated to Asian art. It's housed in a stunning 19th-century mansion previously owned by Alfred Baur. Mr. Baur assembled a remarkable collection of Chinese porcelain, jade, and Japanese art objects, which is regarded as one of the most splendid private collections in Europe today. A private collection like this one reflects the personal tastes of an enthusiast and, in doing so, provides insights into the prevailing artistic preferences of his era. Baur chose to buy "small quantities of rare works of art rather than large numbers of articles of inferior quality".

Asian art possesses a certain enigmatic and captivating quality. Within the museum's walls, visitors can behold rare examples of Chinese and Japanese art spanning over thirteen centuries. The collection includes Chinese ceramics and snuff bottles, engravings, Japanese lacquerware, netsuke, ivories, and a multitude of other treasures.

Since 1995, the museum's collections have been significantly enriched through various donations, particularly in the form of Chinese lacquerware, export ceramics, Chinese and Japanese textiles, and an extensive assortment of items related to the Japanese Tea Ceremony. In total, these donations have established the museum as the largest public repository of Far Eastern art in Switzerland. Additionally, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

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Baur House Museum of Asian Arts on Map

Sight Name: Baur House Museum of Asian Arts
Sight Location: Geneva, Switzerland (See walking tours in Geneva)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

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