The
Mullen Family Collection of Southeast Asian
Earthenwares from the Neolithic Period to
the 19th Century
January
19, 2002 - March 31, 2002
On
January 19, 2002 the Reading Public Museum
will open its next major exhibition The
Mullen Family Collection of Southeast Asian
Earthenwares from the Neolithic Period to
the 19th Century with a Member
Reception from 6pm to 8pm sponsored by the
Friends of the Reading Museum.
The exhibit will run through March 31, 2002
and is included with regular Museum admission
of $4 adults, $2 children 4 to 17. Members
and children under 4 are admitted free.
Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday
11am to 5pm, Wednesday 11am to 8pm and Sunday
12pm to 5pm.
This
intriguing collection contains 56 notable
objects including an elaborate Chu Dan design
covered pot with spout from the 15th Century,
a rare gold-gilded, brass Buddha from the
11th Century, back to a detailed Neolithic
jug that was molded by hand circa 5000 BC.
Other works of art in the collection include
jars, urns, pots, vases and bowls. There
are also ornaments, a pipe, a rare bronze
censer and a fascinating Tibetan Buddha
scroll. Overall this significant collection
is quite a stretch of human history with
pieces from the Early Neolithic Era through
the 19th Century. Most of the objects were
acquired in Southeast Asia, an area that
was inevitably fused territorially and culturally
with the Chinese Empires, which, in turn,
influenced the local Southeast Asian tradition
of art and pottery. It is this "fusion
of cultures" quality that sets the
Mullen Family Collection apart from other
Asian collections.
The
Mullen Family, Benjamin and Catherine, came
from a long line of collectors over many
decades. They were originally from Boston,
but settled in Reading, PA in 1958. Benjamin
and Catherine had four children - Doran
A., Joseph L., Michael A., and Thomas P.
All of the children attended high school
in Reading with the last two receiving all
of their primary and secondary education
in the area. From the time the Mullens moved
to Reading, the family always lived within
a few miles of the Reading Public Museum
creating many happy memories of visiting
the Museum. The Mullen Family graciously
donated this entire collection to the Reading
Public Museum in 2000, an institution that
played an important role in their childhoods.
Museum Director/Curator Robert Metzger comments,
"The gift of the Mullen family is the
most significant addition of Asian works
of art to the Museum's collection in the
past 15 years. Our two galleries devoted
to the art of Asia will be re-invigorated
and enriched by this generous donation for
generations to come."
Robert
Metzger, Ph.D
Director, CEO, Chief Curator Reading
Public Museum
|
