The collection of Asian ceramics in the Rijksmuseum was originally two collections. The oldest is the collection of J.Th. Royer (1737-1807), which almost exclusively comprises export porcelain made to order for the European market. In 1814 the Royer Collection was relocated to the Royal Cabinet of Curiosities, the direct predecessor to the Department of Sculpture and Applied Arts. This department has expanded this collection over the years.
The Rijksmuseum has had its own Department of Asian Art since 1965. The core is formed by the collection of the Society of the Friends of Asian Art. Since it was established in 1918, the Society has collected Asian art, particularly those objects that are appreciated as works of art in the countries of manufacture. The Society and the Department continue to expand the collection from this Asian perspective. Their activities are not restricted to ceramics, but include a wide variety of art works, such as monumental stone statues, scroll paintings on silk and paper, and archaic cast utensils. 
Box with cover, Japan
Kakiemon porcelain, 1670-90
H. 14 cm
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
inv. no. AK NM 6382
J. Th. Royer Bequest
Since 1990 the Department of Asian Art has overseen Asian export ceramics as well as ceramics that have traditionally belonged to it own collection. The collection includes approximately 2300 Chinese ceramic objects, about 600 Japanese objects, and 50 objects from other Far Eastern countries.