The Spencer Cabinet
Exhibition
Exhibition Overview
The Spencer Cabinet
November 3, 2022–December 31, 2027
Gallery 409, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
“Cabinets of curiosities”—also known as “wonder rooms” or “cabinets of wonder”—first gained popularity in 16th-century Europe. Rather than adhering to categories that museums often use to organize collections, these eclectic groupings brought together specimens from nature, archaeological relics, and works of art. These varied collections reflected not only the marvels of their time, but also prompted inquisitiveness about the world. The Spencer’s cabinet draws from our wide-ranging collections to inspire wonder and evoke curiosity.
Exhibition images
Works of art
500s, Sasanian dynasty (224–651)
circa 1926–1928
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
1890–1920, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) to Republic of China (1911–1949)
1850–1875, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
1600, Edo period (1600–1868)
Edo period (1600–1868)
1850s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
late 1600s, Edo period (1600–1868)
circa 1850s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Edo period (1600–1868)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
1895, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
mid 1900s
early 1900s
early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
1700s–1800s
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
1920–1922
date unknown
circa 1650
circa 300 BCE, Ptolemaic Kingdom, 332 BCE–30 CE
late 1890s–early 1900s
1924–1931
1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
1907
1700s–1800s
late 1400s–mid 1500s
circa 1700s
Edo period (1600–1868)
Edo period (1600–1868)
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
1953
late 1800s–1975
1930s–1963
1950–1992
November 1, 1895, Meiji period (1868–1912)
600–700s, early Tang dynasty (618 CE–907 CE)
late 1600s–early 1700s, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
2011
200–300s, Roman Empire, 27 BCE–476 CE
300–400s, Roman Empire, 27 BCE–476 CE
early 1800s
early 600s CE, Tang dynasty (618 CE–907 CE)
mid 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
late 1900s
early 1200s
1994
early 1900
circa 1950s
circa 1950s
circa 1950s
circa 1930
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s
late 1800s–early 1900s