 MAO,
Museo di Arte Orientale - Via San Domenico, 11 - Turin
The MAO, Museum of Oriental Art of Turin, is hosted in Palazzo Mazzonis and is located in Via San Domenico 11, a few steps from Royal Palace and the Galleria Sabauda.
It hosts approximately 2200 works from the Asian continent divided
in the following geographical sections: South Asia and South-East Asia,
China, Japan, Himalayan Region, Islamic Countries.
Each section contains significant works and is accompanied by explanatory panels in different languages that retrace the artistic and historical stages of the regions involved.
Collection and Sections of the Museum of Oriental Art of Turin
South Asia and Southeast Asia
India: the stages of Buddhism and the currents in the various neighboring countries.
Golden statues of the seated Buddha, elephant statues, sculptures of Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Middle Ages Indian art.
Gandhara: the collection houses finds from Afghanistan and north-western Pakistan dating back to the 2nd century BC. and the 5th century. A.D. Friezes of the great stupa of Butkara, statues exposed.
Southeast Asia: the collection houses works
from Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and Cambodia together with some important sculptures from the Khmer period.
China
It retraces the history that led to the formation of the Chinese Empire from the second to the first millennium before Christ. There are dating finds
to the Xia Dynasty (c. 2100-1600 BC) and the subsequent Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC); the unifying role it had at the level is highlighted
geographical the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) which expanded the boundaries
of the kingdom before experiencing the rise of local lords during thePeriod
of the Springs and Autumns (770-454 BC) before and that of the Period
of the Warring Kingdoms(453-221 BC) then. It was in this historical phase that
China developed a strong identity philosophicalgiving life
to the Hundred Schools of Thought where Confucianism, Taoism and Maoism were practiced. A development that could not happen not have strong consequences on
artistic manifestations of China which from there soon it was unified
in an Empire for the first time in 221 BC with the Quin.
Japan
The Japanese collection hosts wooden statues (from the 12th to the 17th century), fabrics, paintings, screens (from the 17th to the 19th century) and woodcuts, weapons and samurai armor. Vertical canvases that Katamono: things you need to know.
Himalayan Region
The Himalayan collection presents artistic finds from Bhutan, from Sikkim, from Ladakh, from Nepal, from Tibet. On display are wooden and metal sculptures, ritual instruments, tempera paintings (thangka) and carved wooden covers of sacred texts.
Islamic Countries
The Islamic collection includes finds from Turkey, Persia and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. The gallery hosts ceramics, Ottoman velvets, bronzes, Persian manuscripts and calligraphic copies of the Quran.
Questions about the Turin MAO
– When you can visit the MAO? Friday from 3pm to 6pm; Saturday
and Sunday from 12pm to 7pm. Closed January 1st, May 1st, December 25th.
– How long does the MAO visit last? From 1 to 3 hours.
– How much does it cost to visit the MAO? Full amount € 10, reduced € 6.50 (pensioners over 65, from 19 to 25, cultural associations and affiliated bodies);
free for children under 18, people with disabilities and companions, tourist guides, Museum Pass, Torino+Piemonte Card.
– When is the MAO free? With Torino Musei Subscription, Turin+Piedmont
Card.
Useful information for the visit
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Monday closed.
Tickets:
whole € 10, reduced € 6.50 (pensioners over 65, from 19 to 25, cultural associations and affiliated bodies);
free for children under 18, people with disabilities and companions, tourist guides, Museum Pass, Turin + Piedmont Card.
Telephone: +39.011.4436927
Website: MAO |
Torino+Piemonte Card - Museums, castles, royal residences, exhibitions, events - Turin
Are you coming to Turin? Book your tour in advance and skip the line!