The Baur Foundation is a Geneva museum dedicated to Far Eastern art, bringing together nearly 9,000 works of art from China and Japan. You discover them in a late 19th-century mansion, moving through rooms with an intimate atmosphere.
Fine and applied arts museums
Main highlights
- Nearly 9,000 works of art from China and Japan, assembled by collector Alfred Baur
- Chinese imperial ceramics, jades and snuff bottles from the 8th to the 19th century
- Late 19th-century mansion offering an intimate setting for your visit
Overview
In the winter of 1924, Alfred Baur (1865-1951) and his wife travelled to the Far East. The streets, markets, museums and monuments of Seoul deepened their interest in Asian cultures. The collector went on to build one of Europe’s great private collections of Far Eastern art.
To house it, he converted a late 19th-century mansion in Geneva, which became today’s museum. Since 1995, the institution has grown through donations, notably of antique Chinese lacquerware, and continues its founder’s vision. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.
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What to see and do
The Chinese section spans more than a millennium. It features imperial ceramics, jades and snuff bottles dating from the 8th to the 19th century, offering a broad overview of Chinese decorative art. A collection of inlaid celadons from the Goryeo kingdom (918-1392) in Korea rounds off the route.
On the Japanese side, you can see ceramics, lacquerware, prints and sword fittings. These pieces showcase the technical skill of Japanese artisans. The netsuke, small traditional sculptures, illustrate the art of detail and miniature.
The visit takes place in the rooms of a historic mansion. The human-scale display cases invite slow, careful observation of the objects.
Practical information
Getting there : by public transport, Florissant or Église russe stops.
Reduced mobility : a disabled parking space is located on Rue Émilie-Gourd, and drop-off is possible in front of the museum. The historic building has some limitations.
Visit duration : at least an hour and a half.
Visitor tips
Allow time to examine the details of the pieces, especially the netsuke and sword fittings, which are small. Check what temporary exhibitions are on, as they explore specific aspects of Far Eastern art in greater depth. Staff can tell you about the techniques and context of the works.
Nearby
- The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, known as the Russian Church, is a Neo-Russian Orthodox cathedral built between 1863 and 1866.
- The Museum of Art and History of Geneva presents artistic and historical collections in an early 20th-century building.
- The Archaeological Site of St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva reveals the remains of churches dating back to the late 4th century.
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