The Nelson-Atkins has more than 1,100 objects of South and Southeast Asian art, Himalayan art and Islamic art from West Asia.

The collection represents a wide range of art forms, including sculpture, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and works on paper that date from the 3rd century B.C.E. to the 21st century C.E.

The collection began with the acquisition of Southeast Asian sculptures and more than 300 Persian and Indian textiles from the van Nemes collection in 1931.

In the original 1933 installation, these works were presented in two period rooms, a “Persian Room” and the “Hindu Temple Room,” which is still in place where the Indian galleries are today.

South and Southeast Asian Art and Islamic Art

Sculpture is one of the great strengths of the collection, which features excellent examples of stone, bronze and metal sculpture from India, Nepal, Tibet, ancient Gandhara (modern Pakistan and Afghanistan) and peninsular Southeast Asia. The museum also is home to a small but significant collection of works on paper representing the Persian, Mughal and Rajput traditions.

Gifts and Recent Acquisitions

Significant highlights include the purchase of two folios from the Mughal Gulshan Album 1948 and the gift of nearly 150 Tibetan and Nepalese sculptures, thangkas and ritual objects through the bequest of Joseph H. Heil in 1974.

Recent acquisitions include a sculpture of Shiva and Parvati gifted by Dr. Roopa Bansal, a Jain manuscript, drawings and furniture from Colonial-era India and examples of contemporary Islamic-inspired art.