The Asian collections contain an encyclopaedic collection of Chinese ceramics spanning from Neolithic times through to late Qing dynasty works, together with Chinese works in glass, jade, horn and semi-precious stones. The highlights of this collection are the Song Dynasty Longquan celadon Jar and cover and the Cizhou ware vase, the Yuan dynasty Cizhou ware Storage pot, the Ming dynasty Fahua ware jar and a small group of Qing Imperial wares. Among the other important objects is a pair of Qing dynasty Imperial yellow Peking Glass vases and a fine Ming dynasty Jade group of a Horse with a Monkey on its back.

In recent years a group of Japanese ceramics has been acquired to illustrate the inter-connections of Chinese, Japanese and European ceramic traditions. This collection includes Bizen, Seto and Tamba wares from among the stoneware tradition, a selection of 17th - 19th century wares from the Kyoto ceramics tradition and finally a group of 17th - 20th century porcelains representing Imari, Kakiemon, Nabeshima and Hirado wares. There are also small groups of works from India, Nepal and Korea. These works are all exhibited in the Barber Gallery.