‘Boats Floating Afar’ opens at NMoQ, tracing 1,000 years of Chinese ceramics and maritime trade

Doha, Qatar - The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has opened a new exhibition titled 'Boats Floating Afar: The Maritime Trade of Ancient Chinese Ceramics', which traces the 1,000-year history of Chinese ceramics and their journey across seas connecting the Gulf to Asia. The exhibition, presented in Temporary Gallery 13, showcases over 100 objects from the National Museum of China, complemented by select pieces from Qatar Museums' collections.

The display spans from the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911 CE), highlighting the evolution of ceramic production and maritime trade. By placing Qatar within the broader context of exchange that linked the Gulf with communities across Asia centuries before modern global networks emerged, the exhibition emphasizes the pivotal role the sea played in shaping Qatar's history.

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Thani, Director of the NMoQ, emphasized that the sea has been integral to Qatar's history, sustaining communities through trade and connecting the nation with distant ports and cultures. Director of the National Museum of China, Luo Wenli, expressed hope that the exhibition will strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations, furthering exchanges and cooperation between their respective museums.

The exhibition is divided into four thematic chapters: Endless Shores, Sea of Sails, and two more sections that delve into the development of Chinese ceramic trade and its adaptation to overseas markets. Visitors can admire ceramics from renowned kiln centers such as Jingdezhen, Longquan, Dehua, Changsha, and Yue, featuring celadon, bluish-white wares, Ming blue-and-white porcelain, and Qing dynasty pieces that illustrate the adaptation of forms and decorative styles to foreign markets. The exhibition will remain open until February 15, 2027.