Museum of East Asian Art Bath (MEAA)
Since its opening in 1993, the Museum Of East Asian Art has housed one of the most extensive collections of East Asian art in the UK. The museum’s collection of almost 2,000 objects ranges in date from 5000 BC to the present day. The MEAA was founded from the personal collection of Brian McElney OBE, a former lawyer who was born and lived in Hong Kong.
Entrance to the museum in 2025
Exhibits
The Museum of East Asian Art houses a fine collection of ceramics, jades, bronzes, etc. from China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. The Museum of East Asian Art is the only museum in Great Britain dedicated solely to the arts and cultures of East and Southeast Asia.
Housed in a restored Georgian building (see below), the Museum of East Asian Art celebrates Bath’s historical links to China.
The trade in Chinese tea and porcelain was of the utmost commercial importance in 18th century England, and Bath ranked second after London for these activities. By the middle of the 18th century, tea drinking had become an important part of the city’s social life. The Armorial Porcelain in the Ceramics Gallery illustrates the important link between China and 18th century Bath.
The museum is one of the hosts of the annual Japan Festival that takes place in the city each year.
Photograph: Avon and Somerset police
Theft
In April 2018 four men broke into the museum and stole several priceless pieces. It is believed the robbery was done to order. The museum was closed for 16 days after this unfortunate incident. Among the items taken were a jade monkey holding a peach, an inlaid wooden covered box (pictured top), and a Mandarin duck with lotus flowers (above).
The museum is housed in a fine Georgian building
Access – Getting There
The Museum of East Asian Art is just a few metres off The Circus in central Bath. Visitors to the Museum may also want to visit Bath’s many other attractions including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Assembly Rooms, and many others.
The Museum of East Asian Art
12 Bennett Street
Bath
BA1 2QJ
Tel: 01225 464640
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