Lecture: Serene and Resplendent: Asian Gold at the Norton Simon Museum

Emma Natalya Stein, Jeffrey P. Cunard Curator of Southeast Asian Art, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian
January 10, 2026

Gilt, pressed, painted or cast, gold has expressed power, prosperity, purity and transcendence throughout the history of Asian art. From gilt-bronze sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities to courtly paintings and items of personal adornment, gold has enjoyed a range of uses and enduring significance, from China to Nepal. In this richly illustrated talk, Stein delves into the Asian works on view in the exhibition Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft and discovers more gold in the Museum’s South and Southeast Asian collections.

Presented in conjunction with the exhibition, Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft, on view October 24, 2025–February 16, 2026.