The Carlos Museum’s Asian collections date back to 1894 when Emory acquired a collection of Asian objects from a Methodist missionary in Japan.  Various additions to the collection over the years included Korean ceramics, a Chinese Tang Dynasty horse, and Japanese armor.

When Emory inaugurated a program in Asian Studies, the Carlos Museum focused its collecting efforts to complement the new research interests and faculty strengths.  Aided principally by support from the Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation, the Museum acquired works of art with a special interest in South Asia.  The Museum opened its first permanent gallery of Asian art in 2001, highlighting the art of India and the Himalayas.  Featured works include a majestic late 1st- to early 2nd-century seated Buddha from Mathura, India, one of the most important such works in an American museum, and an 11th- to 12th-century sculpture of a rare, cosmic form of 18-armed Vishnu with numerous swaying attendants, a stunning example of the elegance and sophistication of Indian medieval sculpture.  A 10th-century bronze Jain altar representing the Jina Rishabhanatha enshrined, a gift of Jagdish and Madhu Sheth, offers eloquent testimony of the third great religious tradition to originate in India. Visit carlos.emory.edu/asian-art.

In addition to its permanent galleries, the Carlos Museum also mounts special exhibitions focused on the art and culture of Asia.  In 2006-2007, the Museum hosted the exhibition, Domains of Wonder: Selected Masterworks of Indian Painting, featuring some of the finest examples of South Asian painting ranging from the 14th through the late 19th century.  When Gold Blossoms will be the second major exhibition of Indian art at the Museum within five years, and will provide audiences with another in-depth exploration of Indian culture.

To complement its permanent collections and exhibitions, the Carlos Museum develops interdisciplinary programs for the university and public audiences.  For example, in collaboration with the Religion Department and South Asian Studies, the Museum organized The Gita Translated: An Evening of Poetry, Dance, and Music, featuring readings from the Gita in Sanskrit and English, and interpretations of the verses in dance and music.

Several of the works of art in the Carlos Museum’s Asian gallery have been featured in a series of podcasts that bring faculty members from across the University together for wide-ranging interdisciplinary conversations, such as a discussion of the goddess in India. Visit the podcast page at carlos.emory.edu/podcast.
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Dancing Balakrishna or Saint Sambandar
India, Tamil, Nadu. Late Chola Dynasty,
late 13th–14th centuries
Bronze
2001.1.3
Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art,
a Gift of the Nathan Rubin-Ida Ladd Family Foundation