Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU
Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU
Celka Straughn, curator
October 28, 2017–February 4, 2018
Galleries 315, 316, and 317, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
Japanese prints, American paintings, Bohemian glass, ancient Coptic textile fragments, Chinese snuff bottles, glass door pulls, and 19th-century trade and valentine cards are just a few of the objects from around the globe acquired by Kansas City philanthropist Sallie Casey Thayer. Donated to the University of Kansas in 1917, her extensive collection forms the basis of what is today the Spencer Museum of Art. This centenary exhibition celebrates her founding gift and explores Mrs. Thayer’s collecting practices and motivations, in particular her commitment to women and their role in civic affairs and municipal culture. Civic Leader and Art Collector will also draw on materials from f the Spencer’s archives that document Mrs. Thayer’s correspondence with art dealers. Gallery talks and art activities will hone in on specific art objects and explore what motivated Mrs. Thayer to collect objects from particular regions across the globe.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Chippendale chair
circa 1700s
Chippendale chair
1700s–1800s
Kyūden zushi (palace-style shrine)
late 1800s–early 1900s
Nyōirin Kannon Star Mandala
late 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Ten Thousand Men’s Canopy
Guangxu 11 (1885)
collar
early 1900s
Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), Microscope
circa 1800–1805, Edo period (1600–1868)
藥師佛 Yaoshi fo (Medicine Buddha)
late 1500s–early 1600s, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
flask
late 1800s
Lesan (active late 1800s–early 1900s), double snuff bottle with stoppers
late 1800s–early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with jade stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1900–1925, Qing dynasty (1641–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
1850–1925, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
1720–1925, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
1700s–early 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1900–1925, Qing dynasty (1641–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
1900–1925, Qing dynasty (1641–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
Guangxu period (1875–1908), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1900–1925, Qing dynasty (1641–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
Jiaqing period (1795–1820), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s–early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
late 1700s–early 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
late 1800s–early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
snuff bottle with stopper
late 1800s–early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912) or Taisho period (1912–1926)
snuff bottle with stopper
1780–1880, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1780–1880, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
late 1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
coffee cup
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
tea bowl
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
saucer
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Valentine card
circa 1890
netsuke (Octopus and Monkey)
1700s–1800, Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
1600s, Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
1600s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Masanaga, tsuba (sword guard)
Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
Sōten School, tsuba (sword guard)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
kushi (comb)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
water jar
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
hanaire 花入 (flower container)
circa 1730, Edo period (1600–1868)
chawan 茶碗 (tea bowl)
late 1700s–early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
茶碗 chawan (tea bowl)
Meiji period (1868–1912)
Miyagawa Kōzan (1842–1916), bowl with chrysanthemums
late 1800s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
garlic-bulb vase
late 1800s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
shawl
mid 1800s
kushi (comb)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
kushi (comb) with butterflies
Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
hair ornament
date unknown
incense burner
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
hen
hen
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
kozuka (knife handle)
Edo period (1600–1868)
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
化粧箱 Keshobako (cosmetic box)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Ishiguro School, kozuka (knife handle)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
kozuka (knife handle)
Edo period (1600–1868)
kozuka (knife handle)
Edo period (1600–1868)
Kashmir shawl
circa 1870
woman's vest
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
three Coptic textile fragments
Coptic period (300–700 CE)
Coptic textile fragment
Coptic period (300 CE–700 CE)
Coptic textile fragment
Coptic period (300 CE–700 CE)
Coptic textile fragment
Coptic period (300 CE–700 CE)
Coptic textile fragment
Coptic period (300 CE–700 CE)
Coptic textile fragment
Coptic period (300 CE–700 CE)
brisé fan
mid 1800s
sampler
1804
sampler
circa 1838
gunsen (war fan)
mid-late 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
brisé fan
late 1700s–1800s
ginger jar vase with wooden lid
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bottle-shaped vase
early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
plate
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bowl
1900s
vase
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
pitcher
date unknown
Copeland (1850–1867), bowl
circa 1850–1867
vase
date unknown
tureen and cover
circa 1840, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bowl
1875–1909, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
pitcher
date unknown
vase
date unknown
観音 Guanyin (Avalokitesvara)
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
ushabti (funerary sculpture)
1539–30 BCE, possibly 1800s
mitt
early 1900s
vase
1700s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase with lid
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase
Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase
Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
plate
Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
chawan 茶碗 (tea bowl)
late 1700s–early 1800s, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
vase
1736–1795, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
small dish with two fish
early 1900s, Republic of China (1911–1949)
bowl
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase
circa 1900, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
covered box
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bowl
1890–1910, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bowl
Song dynasty (1000s–1100s)
libation cup
1700s–early 1900s
vase
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
covered box
Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Guanyin seated on a lotus pod
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Satsuma tea bowl
circa 1820, Edo period (1600–1868)
vase
early 1900s, Republic of China (1911–1949)
jar
jar
1700s, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
glass ball
date unknown
compote
late 1800s
barber bottle
late 1800s
vase
mid 1700s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
vase with lid
early 1900s, Republic of China (1911–1949)
vase
1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
dish
Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
vase
Qianlong period (1736–1795), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
doorknob
date unknown
doorknob
date unknown
button
circa 1800s
button
circa 1800s
tumbler
late 1880s
salt cellar
circa 1870
salt cellar
circa 1870
salt cellar
circa 1870
mug
mug
1800s
pitcher
mid 1800s
teacup and saucer
circa 1820–1880
creamer
1820–1880
Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864), courtesans and attendants under a plum tree
circa 1820s–1830s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Jumbo
1882
piecrust tip table
mid-late 1800s
bowl
Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
ecclesiastical vase
1600s–1700s
vase
1600s–1700s
bowl
late 1500s
bottle
1800s
bottle
1800s
scent bottle
late 1800s
Kashmir shawl
circa 1875–1899
Kashmir shawl
circa 1875–1899
vase
circa mid 1800s
compote
late 1800s–early 1900s
goblet
1800s
goblet
late 1800s
goblet
circa 1800s
pitcher
mid 1800s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
wine glass
early 1850s
Okamoto Shūki (1807–1862), Peacock on a Rock
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Twenty-Four Beauties
circa 1736–1795, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
plate
1800s
textile fragment
1800s or early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), Naruto Rapids in Awa Province
circa 1840, Edo period (1600–1868)
kanzashi (hairpin)
late 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
vase
early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Ninsei or nomura Seisuke, hand warmer
circa 1655, Edo period (1600–1868)
Kōzan (active late 1800s), vase
late 1800s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Tsuji Hitachi Family, one of a pair of incense burners
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Tsuji Hitachi Family, one of a pair of incense burners
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
wine cup
1850–1900, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
water jar with lid
late 1800s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
cup
cup
date unknown
vase
1800s–1900s
jar with cover
Meiji period (1868–1912)
bitters bottle
1865–1875
rummer
date unknown
Miura Kenya (1825–1889), tea bowl
circa 1850, Edo period (1600–1868)
Itō Tōzan (1846–1920), long necked vase
circa 1893, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Kōzan, dish
circa 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
saucer
circa 1850, Edo period (1600–1868)
vase
1900s
vase
Meiji period (1868–1912)
Midoriyama (1868–1912), incense burner with lid
Meiji period (1868–1912)
bowl
Meiji period (1868–1912)
wine cup
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
wine cup
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Hotoda shop, miniature teapot
late 1800s–early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
vase
Meiji period (1868–1912)
casket with cover
late 1800s
cuneiform tablet
Akkadian Empire (circa 2334–2154 BCE)
cuneiform tablet
Akkadian Empire (circa 2334–2154 BCE)
tumbler
1800s
salt cellar
circa 1870s
Genjudo, two painted fans
circa 1810s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Keisai Eisen (1790–1848), painted screen and New Year's offerings
mid 1820s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Keisai Eisen (1790–1848), women sewing and ironing
circa late 1820s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Totoya Hokkei (1780–1850), two fans and a bowl of Adonis flowers
early or mid 1830s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Yanagawa Shigenobu (1787–1832), puppy with kite and ball
1826, Edo period (1600–1868)
Yoshimi Shūri (active 1810s–1820s), Kara monogatari (Stories of China)
circa late 1810s, Edo period (1600–1868)
inro, netsuke, ojime
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Yamada Jōkasai (1811–1879), inro, netsuke, ojime
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
inro, netsuke, ojime
date unknown
inro and netsuke
early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Ogawa Haritsu (Ritsuō) (1663–1747), inro, netsuke, ojime
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke
date unknown
Deme Uman (active 1772–1780), netsuke (fox mask)
circa 1772–1780, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke
early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
netsuke
early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
netsuke
mid 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Yan Yihe (late Qing dynasty (1644–1911)), gui-shaped vessel with recumbent deer
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
bottle with lid
1800s, Qing dynast (1644–1911
seated Buddha
late 1800s
Buddha's hand citron
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Guanyin
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
tsuba (sword guard)
Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
tsuba (sword guard)
Edo period (1600–1868)
tsuba (sword guard)
1600s, Edo period (1600–1868)
toad
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (hilt ornament) in the shape of a rooster
probably Edo period (1600–1868)
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
menuki (sword trim)
date unknown
snuff bottle
late 1800s–early 1900s
dish
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
landscape
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
brush rest with deer figurine
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
brush rest with rocks, plants, and pine trees
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
pendant
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
jade carving
date unknown
Daoist altar
circa 1800s
tripod censer
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
lotus brush washer
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
woman's tunic (aba)
1800s–early 1900s
Valentine card
date unknown
Valentine card
circa 1850
Valentine card
date unknown
Valentine card
circa 1860
Valentine card
circa 1890
Banko covered bowl
late 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
tassel
date unknown
tassel
date unknown
tassel
date unknown
tassel
date unknown
tassel
date unknown
tassels
date unknown
Mandarin duck tassel
date unknown
Mandarin duck tassel
date unknown
tassels
date unknown
tassels
date unknown
tassel
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
tassels
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
tassel
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
four-legged urn
circa 1880, Meiji period (1868–1912)
vase
Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
jug
jug
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Heng Shengzhan (active 1800s), teapot with lid
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
snuff bottle with stopper
late 1800s–early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) or Republic of China (1911–1949)
card case
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Yan Yihe (late Qing dynasty (1644–1911)); Zhang Yilin (1867–1943), peach-shaped covered dish
1900, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Liang Yuhe (active late 1800s), round box with lid
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
teapot with lid
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
netsuke (oni)
date unknown
netsuke
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
beaded bottle
late 1800s–1928
tsuba (sword guard)
date unknown
Cai Xinchun, hair ornament
late 1800s–early 1900s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
tachi (slung sword) in saya (scabbard)
1880–1895, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Shirvan rug
late 1800s
C. Bechstein (founded 1853), grand piano
circa 1885–1886
portrait of man
circa 1855

Events

March 8, 2017
Talk
6:00–7:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 318, Jack and Lavon Brosseau Center for Learning
November 11, 2017
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
December 14, 2017
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
October 25, 2017
Performance
7:00–8:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
October 26, 2017
Performance
7:00–8:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
November 5, 2017
Talk
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Rm 305, Stephen H. Goddard Study Center
November 12, 2017
Talk
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, Gallery 316, Gallery 315
November 9, 2017
Social
6:00–8:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
November 15, 2017
Screening
5:30–7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art Auditorium, Rm 309
November 19, 2017
Performance
4:00–5:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court
January 20, 2018
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317
November 16, 2017
Talk
5:00–6:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Room 211
January 19, 2018
Talk
12:00–1:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, 316
February 1, 2018
Talk
5:30–6:45PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317, Spencer Museum of Art, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, 316, Spencer Museum of Art, Lester "Dusty" Loo Gallery, 401
February 4, 2018
Talk
2:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art

Resources

Documents