Born in a multicultural country like the Netherlands, a country that has seen a steady influx of immigrants from around the world come to her shores since colonization a few hundred years ago – it is easy to take for granted the influence of Western and Eastern cultures around us.

East Meets West
In 1998, a shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Belitung Island, Indonesia, by local fishermen. The wares found in the cargo of the Tang dynasty shipwreck reveal both the scale and sophistication of the trade occurring in the 9th century between Tang China (618–907 CE) and the Western or Abbasid world.
This find showcases the earliest recordings of trade between the east and the West.

This unique collection of old maps, prints and objects aims to show the influence that international trading and exchange of items had on the development of Western and Eastern Art and visa versa.

After Tang China (618–907 BCE) and the Western or Abbasid trading in the 9th century BCE the International trading started on a larger scale with what we know as the Silk Road as early as 300 BCE and was a land route between Europeans (particularly the Greeks & Romans) The first recorded traveler is thought to be a Chinese general by the name of Zhang Qian during the second century BCE.

Travel by sea was changing as merchant and military ships began transitioning from galleys into full sailing vessels.  This opened up trade in a completely new way – and the Portuguese Empire was making headway exploring the Indian Ocean.  They were the first to create direct trade routes with Asia by sea.  In 1513 China saw the first European trading ship arrive on the coast of Lingding Island under Portuguese explorer Jorge Álvares. Three years later, Rafael Perestrello (who was a cousin through marriage to famed explorer Christopher Columbus) arrived on China's mainland shores.  Others soon followed like Fernão Pires de Andrade and Tomé Pires who started formal commercial and diplomatic relations between the Ming Dynasty and Portugal.