Museum of Lacquer Art

The Museum of Lacquer Art holds about 1,250 objects that demonstrate lacquer techniques from East Asia, Europe, and the Islamic world. The works span different periods and regions, showing various craft traditions and artistic approaches.

The museum was founded in 1955 by collectors Erich Zschocke and Kurt Herberts from a private collection. BASF took over the collection in 1968, and it remained as a separate institution in Münster before being integrated into the LWL-Museum for Art and Culture in 2024.

The collection features Japanese makie lacquerware, Chinese carved pieces, and Korean mother-of-pearl inlay works spanning two millennia of craftsmanship.

The museum is located in central Münster and can be easily reached on foot or by local transit. Visitors should note that opening hours differ on weekdays and weekends, and it is wise to check current information before visiting.

The collection combines works from several continental traditions, which sets it apart from specialized lacquer collections that typically focus on a single region. This broad perspective allows visitors to see how lacquer techniques were shared and developed differently across time and borders.

Location: Münster

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Operator: BASF Coatings GmbH

Address: Windthorststraße 26, 48143 Münster

Opening Hours: Tuesday 12:00-20:00; Wednesday-Sunday 12:00-18:00

Phone: +49251418510

Website: https://museum-fuer-lackkunst.de/en/homepage

GPS coordinates: 51.95780,7.63125

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00