Doha, October 27, 2026 : HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, inaugurated Boats Floating Afar: The Maritime Trade of Ancient Chinese Ceramics at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).
The exhibition explores the history of the Maritime Silk Road and the centuries-old commercial and cultural connections between China and the Gulf, highlighting the shared heritage of Qatar and China and their longstanding friendship.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), NMoQ Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs Tania Al Majid said the exhibition traces more than 1,000 years of maritime trade linking China with the Gulf, Europe and Africa.
The display brings together more than 100 objects from the National Museum of China, alongside selected pieces from Qatar Museums’ collections and artefacts from archaeological sites. Together, they illustrate the movement of goods, artistic influences and cultural exchanges across historic trade networks.
Covering Chinese ceramic production and maritime exchange from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 CE), the exhibition features works associated with renowned kiln centres, including Jingdezhen, Longquan, Dehua, Changsha and Yue. Visitors can explore celadon, bluish-white ceramics, Ming blue-and-white porcelain and elaborately decorated Qing pieces, reflecting changing techniques and tastes across the centuries.
The exhibition is organised into four thematic sections. Endless Shores examines the beginnings of maritime trade and the influence of Chinese kilns overseas, while Sea of Sails explores expanding trade networks during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Expanding Waves follows the growth of Chinese porcelain in international markets during the Ming and Qing periods, and Across the Seas examines the influence of Chinese ceramics on pottery traditions worldwide, with particular attention to Qatar.
Among the highlights are objects recovered from the wreck of the Cirebon, a 10th-century ship discovered off the coast of Java, Indonesia, as well as Chinese pottery fragments excavated in Qatar that provide evidence of historic trade links with the Gulf.
Visitors can also view films documenting Chinese ceramic production and archaeological excavations in Qatar, accompanied by Arabic and English subtitles. Maps illustrate major kiln centres, ports and maritime routes extending as far west as the Red Sea. Accessibility features include Braille information, tactile ceramic models and a hands-on activity.
Al Majid noted that the exhibition builds on the legacy of the Qatar-China Year of Culture 2016. It follows Nomadic Life Reimagined, an exhibition organised by the National Museum of Qatar that opened at the National Museum of China in June and explored the creative traditions of Qatar’s nomadic and semi-nomadic communities from the 18th century until the discovery of oil.
Boats Floating Afar is part of the Qatar Creates Fall/Winter 2026–27 season and will remain on view at the National Museum of Qatar until February 15, 2027.
Source: QNA
