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Family and Religion

  • Manichäische Electae, Detail, China, Xinjiang, Kocho, 10. Jh., Seide mit Farben

    Manichäische Electae, Detail, China, Xinjiang, Kocho, 10. Jh., Seide mit Farben

  • Die Göttin Hariti, Detail, China, Xinjiang, Yarkhoto, 10. – 11. Jh., Ramie mit Farben

    Die Göttin Hariti, Detail, China, Xinjiang, Yarkhoto, 10. – 11. Jh., Ramie mit Farben

References to the theme of "family" are illustrated by two silk paintings on display: Firstly, the depiction of the breastfeeding goddess Hariti, who is worshipped as the protector of children. The second is an exceptionally rare and newly restored silk painting depicting female Manichaean clerics (Electae) who left their families to devote themselves entirely to religion.

Curator

The temporary presentation is curated by Lilla Russell-Smith, Curator of Central Asian Art, Museum of Asian Art, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

"Family and Religion" is the temporary presentation in the permanent exhibition "Art from the Northern Silk Road" at the Museum für Asiatische Kunst der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin, in the Kuppelraum, room 317Translated with DeepL

Runtime: Fri, 01/08/2025 to Wed, 01/07/2026

Price info: Since October 3, 2025, the Humboldt Forum has had a new pricing model:

With just one ticket, you will have access to the permanent exhibitions and temporary presentations – and you can choose between a one-day, two-day or group ticket for maximum flexibility. All of these ticket options allow you to visit the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, BERLIN GLOBAL, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The ticket is also valid for the special exhibition Family Matters (from 3 October) with interventions throughout the building and in the Knoblauchhaus Museum in the Nikolaiviertel.

Many areas and programmes are still accessible to you free of charge – including the Humboldt Laboratory with the new exhibition On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin (from 10 October), the stairwell with Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers, the castle cellar, the sculpture hall, the video panorama and the presentation Traces. You can also attend numerous events and educational programmes without paying admission.

Price: €14.00

Reduced price: €7.00

Reduced price info: Admission remains free of charge for children and young people up to the age of 19, persons accompanying a severely disabled person (provided this is noted as B on the severely disabled person’s pass), persons receiving transfer payments and Berlin-Ticket-S-holders. Admission is also free of charge for Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the German Museums Association and the Federal Association for Museum Education.

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