Museums of the Far East, Oriental art museum complex in Laeken, Belgium
The Museums of the Far East consist of three separate buildings on a royal estate: the Chinese Pavilion, the Japanese Tower, and the Museum of Japanese Art. These structures hold collections of Asian art and objects representing different traditions and periods.
King Leopold II commissioned architect Alexandre Marcel in the early 1900s to design these Asian-inspired buildings, following the influence of the Paris Exposition. The complex was created as an expression of royal interest in Asian art and culture.
The Museum of Japanese Art displays works from the Edo period in a converted carriage house, with ceramics, textiles, and traditional garments that show how artisans created beauty for daily life.
The museum site is located near Stuyvenbergh metro station on line 6, making it easy to find by public transport. Currently the buildings remain closed due to ongoing structural maintenance and renovation work.
The Japanese Tower rises prominently above the other buildings on the grounds, commanding attention with its distinctive form. This bold structure combined Western construction techniques with Eastern design elements in a way that was experimental for its time.
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