Asia and Pacific Museum

The museum's origins trace back to the private collection of Andrzej Wawrzyniak, a Polish diplomat and sailor who served as an attaché in the Polish Embassy in Jakarta between 1961 and 1971. During his tenure, he amassed a vast collection of Indonesian art and crafts. Upon returning to Poland in 1971, Wawrzyniak initiated efforts to transform his collection into a public institution, appointing himself as the lifetime director and chief curator.

The museum was officially founded on February 26, 1973, initially under the name Museum of the Nusantara Archipelago, reflecting its primary focus on the Indonesian archipelago before expanding its scope to the broader Asia-Pacific region.

The museum is housed in two historic, two-story late neoclassical buildings dating back to 1854. These twin structures, originally designed by an architect (specific name not detailed in the source but noted as a design from that era), form the core of the museum's physical presence. The site also includes a distinctive garden area known as the 'Oriental Oasis.'

A notable feature of the museum's exterior is a black-and-white sgraffito titled 'Javanese Shadow Theater' on the wall of a newer building, designed by Professor Tytus Sawicki. The architectural ensemble provides a unique backdrop for the diverse cultural artifacts displayed within.

The museum's holdings are extensive, comprising over 20,000 objects. The foundational collection is Indonesian, featuring white weaponry, rich textiles, numerous theatrical dolls and masks, musical instruments, sculptures, and paintings by contemporary artists. Beyond Indonesia, the collection is particularly strong in artifacts from Mongolia, India, Nepal, Tibet, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, China, Central Asia (including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan), Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

The museum also uniquely collects works by Polish artists who were inspired by Asian cultures, integrating local artistic responses with the primary collection.

A distinctive feature of the museum is its garden, referred to as the 'Oriental Oasis.' This space gradually accumulated various Asian-style objects and structures. Its centerpiece is a replica of the 'One Pillar Pagoda' from Hanoi, Vietnam, a Buddhist temple originally from the 11th century.

This square structure on a single circular pillar was constructed in 1988 by Vietnamese masters to commemorate the museum's 15th anniversary. The garden also houses a Nepalese temple bell cast by the founder Dahrana, a stone sculpture titled 'Creative Buddha' by Miłosz Płonka, and ceramic reliefs by Paweł Wolański depicting Chinese dragons playing with a pearl. A wooden pavilion in a style referencing Chinese architecture was added in 2000.

The museum maintains the Asian Library (Biblioteka Azjatycka), which contains over 14,000 volumes. The library's origins lie in the private book collection of the founder, Andrzej Wawrzyniak. It primarily gathers scientific publications on the material and spiritual cultures of Asian, Australian, and Oceanian countries.

The collection includes rare 19th-century prints, many of which are richly illustrated, as well as domestic and foreign publications of an academic, artistic, and popular nature. It holds unique items in Polish collections, including museum catalogs received through international cooperation, specialized journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and auction catalogs for Asian art.

For many years, the museum operated without a permanent exhibition, relying instead on temporary shows held in its smaller additional locations. However, in September 2016, the first part of a permanent exhibition was opened, followed by a new permanent exhibition in June 2022. The museum also opened a new temporary exhibition hall in 2016, which has hosted various significant displays.

The institution plays a vital role in preserving and presenting the cultural heritage of the Asia-Pacific region in Poland, serving as a repository for both the founder's original vision and the evolving artistic dialogue between Poland and Asia.