Linking Asia | Denver Art Museum

Explore how trade routes inspired and influenced art over time and across the Asian continent. Linking Asia: Art, Trade, and Devotion features approximately 150 sculptures, ceramics, textiles, scrolls, and other multi-dimensional works from 20 countries that span more than 2,500 years.

Linking Asia dives deeper into the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and techniques along trade routes including the Silk Road, which profoundly affected the development of Asian art. The presentation considers themes such as artistic inspiration and cross-cultural hybridization of styles, trade by land and sea, ink art trends in East Asia, and religious links before the twentieth century.

Works on view from the DAM’s Asian art collection include visitor favorite Shiva, King of Dancers (Shiva Nataraja) and many on view for the first time, such as objects from three shipwrecks.

The exhibition is curated by Tianlong Jiao, Joseph de Heer Curator of Asian Art at the DAM. A catalog accompanying the exhibition is the first major record of the DAM’s Asian art collection, which originated in 1915, and spans a period from the fourth millennium B.C. to the present. The catalog is available in The Shop and online.

Garuda, Indonesia, Bali, about 1875. Polychromed wood; 29 x 18 x 17-1/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Purchase for the Frederic H. Douglas Collection, 1956.8

Qiu Ying, attr. (1502-1552), *Tribute Bearers* (detail), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), China, 1500s. Ink and color on silk; 12-3/4 x 268 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Dr. Robert Rinden, 1971.40

*Shiva, King of Dancers (Shiva Nataraja)*, Tamil Nadu Province India, 1100s. Bronze; 36-7/8 x 32-1/2 in. Denver Art Museum: Dora Porter Mason Collection. 1947.2

Frieze Tile, Ilkhanid Dynasty (1256–1335), Iran, Kashan, 1200s–1300s. Fritware with lustre and glaze; 21-1/2 x 18-7/8 x 4 in. Denver Art Museum: Museum exchange, 1958.4

Screen with Ancient Bronzes and Their Inscriptions, Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), Korea, 1800s. Silk, color and gold; 85 x 95-3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Anonymous gift, 1973.73

*Seated Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion*, India, 800s–900s. Stone; 32-1/8 x 16-1/2 x 6-1/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Guthrie-Goodwin Collection, 1962.293

Cup and Saucer from the Griffin Shipwreck, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), China, 1700s. Porcelain with blue underglaze; cup: 1-1/2 x 2-7/8 in. and saucer: 1 x 4-5/8 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Jan and Frederick R. Mayer, 2003.34.1, 2003.35.1

*Life of the Buddha*, Tibet, 1800s. Colors and gold on canvas, silk and wood; 48 x 31-1/2 in. Denver Art Museum: Guthrie-Goodwin Collection, 1962.305

Water Ewer, Goryeo Dynasty, Korea, 1100s‒1200s. Bronze; 14 x 5-3/8 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Dr. Robert Rinden by exchange, 1971.5

Palampore, India, for the European trade, 1700s–1800s. Cotton, resist dye; 121 x 85-5/8 in. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection, 1965.76

Qur’an, Durrani Dynasty (1747–1842), Afghanistan, Herat (perhaps Uzbekistan, Bukhara), 1700s. Ink, gold and colors on paper with painted board covers; 10-1/4 x 7-1/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Bj Averitt, 1991.748

Vishnu, Central India, 1000s–1100s. Sandstone, 33-1/4 x 21 x 7 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Mrs. Yuko Shibata, 1986.318

Man’s Dragon Robe, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), China, about 1875. Woven silk and metal thread tapestry with painted details; 55 x 84 in. Denver Art Museum Neusteter Textile Collection: Gift of James P. Grant and Betty Grant Austin, 1977.197

Moon Flask, Qianlong period, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), China, about 1736–1795. Porcelain with underglaze blue; 19-1/2 x 15 x 8 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of May Wilfley in memory of her parents, A.R. Wilfley and Addie M. Wilfley, 1974.28

Camel, Tang Dynasty (618–907), China, early 700s. Glazed earthenware; 2-1/4 x 7-3/4 x 18 in. Denver Art Museum: Funds from 1983 Collector’s Choice, 1983.243

Takugen Sōshō (Japanese, 1597–1685), *Screen with Zen Couplets*, Edo period (1615–1868), about 1680. Folding screen with ink on silk and gold leaf; 68-1/4 x 148-1/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Kimiko and John Powers, 1982.195

Image of Durga, Central India, 1000s–1100s. Sandstone; 19-3/8 x 14-3/4 x 8 in. Denver Art Museum: Anonymous gift, 1983.266

Bowl with Floral Medallions, Safavid Dynasty (1501–1736), Iran, 1600s. Fritware with underglaze blue; 4 x 8-3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Bj Averitt, 1994.12

For Members

Member Admission

This exhibition is free for members (included in general admission).

Linking Asia: Art, Trade, and Devotion is organized by the Denver Art Museum. It is presented with generous support from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Robert and Lisa Kessler, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine, CBS4, Comcast Spotlight, and The Denver Post.