The building, Palazzo Mazzonis, was originally a private residence before serving as a courthouse and later a textile factory.
The museum's Japanese section features a rare collection of Edo-period screens and woodblock prints.
The Himalayan collection is particularly notable for its ritual bronzes and thangka paintings.
The Chinese collection spans four millennia, featuring Neolithic pottery and Tang dynasty funerary figures.
The museum organizes its displays geographically and chronologically to emphasize cross-cultural exchanges along the Silk Road.
The interior design employs natural light strategies to complement the delicate nature of silk and paper artifacts.
The Museum of Oriental Art (MAO) in Turin is housed within the 17th-century Palazzo Mazzonis, showcasing a significant collection of Asian art. The museum features permanent galleries dedicated to South Asia, China, Japan, the Himalayas, and Islamic countries. The structure was restored specifically to house the collection, blending historical baroque architecture with modern exhibition design. It holds over 1,500 works, spanning from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. Key highlights include Gandharan sculptures, Japanese screens, and Chinese funerary terracotta figures. The internal courtyard and zen-inspired garden provide a meditative environment distinct from the surrounding city streets. It serves as a primary cultural hub for Asian studies in Northern Italy.
The central grand staircase and the minimalist Zen garden area.
Check the museum's rotating temporary exhibition schedule before visiting, as these change quarterly.
Visit the interior courtyard, which is often overlooked by tourists but offers a peaceful architectural contrast to the galleries.
Allocate time for the museum library if you have a specific interest in Asian art history.
Rushing through the permanent galleries; the collection is densely packed and requires focused attention to appreciate the small-scale artifacts.
Closed on Mondays.
