Chinese Museum, Palace museum in Fontainebleau, France.
The Chinese Museum occupies the ground floor of a main pavilion within the palace complex, displaying Asian artworks in rooms with lacquered walls and decorative details. The collection includes furniture, folding screens, and ornamental objects arranged as they would have been in a 19th-century European home.
The museum was founded in 1863 under Empress Eugenie and initially displayed objects obtained during conflicts in Asia. The collection later expanded through diplomatic gifts received from various Asian nations over the following decades.
The name reflects the Asian pieces on display throughout the rooms. You will notice how Eastern art sits alongside European furnishings, creating a space where two worlds meet in a 19th-century home.
The museum is located within the palace complex and follows the same visiting hours as the main building. You will notice security measures in place to protect the artworks, which may limit close access to some display pieces.
Alongside the Asian artworks, a ceremonial room contains billiard tables and other European leisure items. This space reveals how the 19th century mixed East and West not just for decoration but also for entertainment.
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