Doha, October 26 (QNA) - Chairperson of Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums (QM), HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated "Boats Floating Afar: The Maritime Trade of Ancient Chinese Ceramics" exhibition at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).

The exhibition explores the history of the Maritime Silk Road while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Qatar and China. It aims to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cordial relations between the two peoples.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs at NMoQ, Tania Al Majid said the exhibition highlights more than 1,000 years of maritime trade linking China with the Gulf region, Europe and Africa.

She noted that the exhibits include objects from the National Museum of China and Qatar Museums, as well as artefacts from other archaeological sites, illustrating the cultural and commercial exchanges between China and various countries.

Al Majid added that the exhibition builds on the legacy of the Qatar-China Year of Culture 2016, whose impact continues to be felt a decade later.

She cited the recent exhibition "Nomadic Life Reimagined," organized by the National Museum of Qatar and inaugurated at the National Museum of China in June. The exhibition explored the creative expressions of Qatar's nomadic and semi-nomadic communities from the 18th century until the discovery of oil.

"Boats Floating Afar" is the second exhibition to build on this enduring cultural legacy, further strengthening the ties between Qatar and China through the exploration and celebration of their shared history and cultural connections.

The exhibition follows more than 1,000 years of ceramic production and maritime exchange from the Tang to the Qing dynasties (618-907 CE to around 1900 CE). More than 100 objects from the National Museum of China are shown alongside selected material from Qatar Museums' collections.

Boats Floating Afar: The Maritime Trade of Ancient Chinese Ceramics places Qatar within broader histories of exchange that connected the Gulf with communities and trading centres across Asia centuries before modern global networks emerged. It will be on view until 15 February 2027.  

Visitors can see ceramics produced at some of China's best-known kiln centres, including Jingdezhen, Longquan, Dehua, Changsha and Yue. Celadon, bluish-white wares, Ming blue-and-white porcelain and richly decorated Qing pieces illustrate evolving techniques and tastes across successive dynasties. Several objects demonstrate how Chinese makers responded to overseas markets, adapting forms and decorative styles for customers far from China.  

The exhibition unfolds across four thematic chapters, tracing the development of Chinese ceramic trade from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE). The first chapter, Endless Shores, introduces the beginnings of maritime trade and the influence of Chinese kilns beyond China. Sea of Sails follows the expansion of maritime networks during the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368 CE), when growing overseas demand led to new ceramic wares and trade systems. The third chapter, Expanding Waves, charts the rise of Chinese porcelain in global markets during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911 CE). The final chapter, Across the Seas, looks at the influence of Chinese ceramics on pottery traditions worldwide, with particular attention to Qatar.  

Among the highlights are objects connected to the wreck of the Cirebon, a 10th-century ship discovered off the coast of Java, Indonesia, which illustrate the scale of ceramics transported along maritime trade routes. Chinese pottery fragments excavated in Qatar provide further evidence of these connections to the Gulf.

Complementing the objects on view are films documenting the history and production of Chinese ceramics alongside footage of Chinese pottery being excavated at archaeological sites in Qatar. Both are shown with Arabic and English subtitles. Visitors can also see maps illustrating major Chinese kiln centres, cities and ports, as well as maritime trade routes extending as far west as the Red Sea, while accessibility features include Braille information, tactile ceramic models and a hands-on activity.  

The exhibition opened as part of the Qatar Creates Fall/Winter 2026-27 season, a programme of exhibitions, public art, performances and cultural events across Qatar. (QNA)