Located at 59 Avenue Foch in the prestigious 16th arrondissement, the Ennery Museum is an annex of the renowned Musée Guimet, dedicated to the arts of Asia.
This museum, which first opened its doors in 1908, showcases an astonishing collection of over 7,000 objects that were meticulously gathered during the second half of the 19th century by Clémence d’Ennery, wife of the celebrated French playwright Adolphe d’Ennery.
Far from the bustling crowds of Paris’s major museums, this lesser-known institution offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the world of Asian art, with a special focus on Chinese and Japanese works.
A Historic Treasure: The Story of Clémence d’Ennery’s Passion for Asian Art
The origins of the Ennery Museum are deeply tied to the life and passion of Clémence d’Ennery, a pioneering collector at a time when few women ventured into the male-dominated art world.
Clémence began her collection in 1859, starting with family heirlooms of lacquered boxes and blue-and-white porcelains. After her first marriage ended, she moved the collection to a grand mansion on Avenue Foch, which became the museum as we know it today. Her second husband, Adolphe d’Ennery, helped her expand the collection, and by 1892, they had already begun discussions with the French state to ensure that their precious artifacts would remain in the family home after their passing.
In 1901, after a legal dispute over the will of Adolphe d’Ennery, the collection was officially donated to the state, and the museum was inaugurated seven years later.
The Collection: A Unique Testament to Japonism and Asian Art
At the heart of the museum’s collection are exquisite examples of Asian craftsmanship, with a strong emphasis on Japanese art, reflecting the Japonism that swept through Europe during the Belle Époque.
Visitors can marvel at a vast array of objects, including delicate porcelains from the Kakiemon style, intricately carved Netsuke figurines, Kyoto ceramics, and lacquered Namban cabinets from the late 16th century. Each object tells a story of cultural exchange and artistic fascination, many of them likely acquired by Clémence at the great World Expositions of the time.
The museum’s displays, set in the original 19th-century cabinets made by renowned sculptor Gabriel Viardot, transport visitors back to a time when European taste was heavily influenced by the Far East.
A Time Capsule of Asian Art and Parisian History
Stepping into the Ennery Museum is like stepping into a time capsule. The interior of the museum has been preserved as it was when Clémence d’Ennery lived there, offering a rare and authentic glimpse into how Asian art was viewed and appreciated during the late 19th century.
The collection is arranged in dense, almost theatrical displays, with objects ranging from large Okimono sculptures to tiny figurines, each piece meticulously chosen to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity.
The museum’s commitment to maintaining the original presentation of the collection reflects Clémence d’Ennery’s vision and offers an extraordinary testimony to the period’s artistic dialogue between East and West.
Touring the Ennery Museum
After being closed for extensive renovations, the museum reopened in April 2012, much to the delight of art lovers and historians alike. However, after another period of closure, it once again welcomed visitors in early 2023. Today, the Ennery Museum operates on a reservation-only basis, with a limited number of spaces open to the public, ensuring that this cultural gem is enjoyed in an intimate and contemplative atmosphere.