Collections

Asian

The Asian Collection and the Robert F. Reiff Gallery of Asian Art

Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, extinct Central Asian scripts and precious Chinese jade, Japanese armor and Noh robes, gilded lacquer, porcelains for palaces and sculptures for tombs; our small but growing collection explores the cultural traditions of Asia from the fourth millennium B.C.E. to the eighteenth century C.E. through fine and rare examples of art. Although not all the pieces are permanently on display, regular rotations allow visitors to engage with these rich and varied traditions. In addition to pieces from the permanent collection, loans from the Barbara and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Collection and other lenders are regularly exhibited.

Vishnu Stele

Indian, Bengal, Sena kingdom, 12th century, black chloritic schist, 38 x ?? x ?? inches. Purchase with funds provided by the Christian A. Johnson Memorial Fund. 2004.050

Two Scenes from the Life of Buddha

Gandharan (northeastern Pakistan and southern Afghanistan), 2nd–3rd century, stone, 16 x 14 inches (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Friends of Art Acquisition Fund. 1972.002

Tibetan, 12th–14th century, gilded and painted wood, 8 x 27 1/8 x 1 inches (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Christian A. Johnson Memorial Fund and the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2005.031

Caparisoned Horse

Chinese, Eastern Wei dynasty, (534–550), polychrome ceramic, 12 3/4 x 12 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Friends of Art Acquisition Fund. 2004.015

Ritual Ewer (gui)

Chinese, Neolithic period, Dawenkou culture, 4th–3rd millennium B.C.E., earthenware, 11 x 7 1/4 x 7 inches. Purchase with funds provided by the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2004.017

Li Bai Contemplating the Moon

Wu Liangzhi, Chinese, late 16th–early 17th century, hanging scroll, ink and color on silk, 65 x 40 inches. Puchase with funds provided by the Christian A. Johnson Memorial Fund. 2004.022

Figure of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)

Chinese, Northern Qi dynasty, dated by inscription 568 C.E., gilt bronze, H. 7 3/8 inches (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2005.042

Fragment of a Lotus Sutra

Chinese, Dunhuang, 7th century, croll; ink on paper, H. 10 5/8 inches (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Walter Cerf Art Fund. 2006.020

Hyakumanto Pagoda and Printed Buddhist Incantation (dharani)

Japanese, Nara period, (c. 767–770), wood with lead white covering; incantation: ink on paper, H. 8 1/2 inches. Purchase with funds provided by the Christian A. Johnson Memorial Fund and the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2004.025

Karaori Noh Robe

Japanese, Edo period (1603–1867), early 19th century, silk, warp-float twill with supplementary brocading wefts, 62 1/2 x 65 1/4 inches. Purchase with funds provided by the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2004.049

Clothes Box

Japanese, Edo period (1603–1868), 18th century, basketry with makie lacquer decoration, 9 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Christian A. Johnson Memorial Fund. 2005.030

Shogi Set with Tokugawa Crest

Japanese, 18th century, lacquered wood, ivory pieces, Size??? (detail). Purchase with funds provided by the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2005.045

Figure of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), Chinese, Northern Qi dynasty, dated by inscription 568 C.E., gilt bronze, H. 7 3/8 inches. Purchase with funds provided by the Barbara P. and Robert P. ’64 Youngman Acquisition Fund for Asian Art. 2005.042