The Nat Yuen Collection of Chinese Antiquities was gifted to The University of Queensland by Dr Natalis (Nat) Yuen in 1995 to coincide with the opening of the Brisbane Customs House, with additional works gifted in 2005 and 2006.

Spanning 5000 years of Chinese culture, the Nat Yuen Collection benefits students and scholars of Chinese antiquities as well as members of the general community. The Collection represents special features of particular periods, such as form, patterns, clay types and glazes.

Dr Yuen, a resident of Hong Kong, graduated in medicine from The University of Queensland and was a classmate of Sir Llew Edwards AC, the University's chancellor from 1993 to 2009. Dr Yuen has an admirable record in community service and has been president of numerous medical associations, and has also been recognised by a number of honorary degrees and positions.

Dr Yuen began collecting Chinese antiquities in the 1960s, when his father – a scholar and a connoisseur of such artworks and relics – gave him several pieces of porcelain and paintings. Dr Yuen always intended that a significant portion of his works be given to a public museum so that more people could access and appreciate them, thereby fostering an appreciation of the arts and culture of our region. This ambition has been realised with the Collection featured in exhibitions at UQ Art Museum.