Mao - Museo d'Arte Orientale (Asian Art Museum) is one of the most important museums in Italy and Europe for its expertise and research of Eastern art. The collections boast almost 2,300 works ranging from the Neolithic period to the beginning of this past century, plus more than 1,400 archeological finds dating to pre-Islamic times from the Iraqi digs at Seleucia and Coche. The five galleries that make up the museum showcase works from South and South-East Asia, the most important collection of Chinese funerary art present in Italy, sacred and profane Japanese art, art from the Himalayan region, and a significant collection of Islamic art. Alongside the permanent collection, space is also given to temporary exhibitions.