Devotion and Desire

When cultures come together, distinctive works of art are created. This text reveals new directions for the Asian Civilisations Museum, which has recently focused on building understanding of the diverse cultures of Asia. The objects reveal surprising connections between Asian cultures, and between Asia and the wider world. Cross-cultural works of art are powerful indicators that peoples of diverse cultures and faiths have lived together harmoniously for centuries throughout Asia. Themes of the exhibition featured in this volume include the importance of trade, transmission of religions, courtly art, and colonial networks. This book presents over 200 objects, including those in the exhibition along with other key new acquisitions of the Asian Civilisations Museum from the past five years. Works from China, Southeast Asia, West Asia, and South Asia are represented; many of the objects show the connections between these cultures, and with the wider world. This important book, with contributions from all the curators, will become one of the standard references to the collection.