Human world
Burma (Myanmar) has exchanged beliefs and ideas with other Asian countries for over 2000 years.
Buddhism came from India to Burma. Today 80% of people living in Burma are Buddhist.
Burma has had contact with Europeans since at least the14th century. The great explorer Marco Polo is said to have visited Burma as early as 1282. In the 19th century the British invaded Burma and colonised the country. Burma finally gained independence in 1948 and was renamed Myanmar in 1989.
Many of the objects on display in the gallery exhibit a mix of Burmese and English designs. The shapes are British but they are decorated with Burmese motifs.
The objects were made in Burma for British markets.
Follow the links in the navigation panel to explore more of these collections.