Empire of Things

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

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Empire of Things
Kris Ercums, curator
Kate Meyer, curator
December 20, 2012–April 12, 2015
Gallery 401, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Why do we collect things? Where do the prized objects and artwork in museums come from? Empire of Things asks these questions and more by exploring the relationships among objects, the people who made them, and the people who collected, studied, and displayed them. The exhibition includes a range of artworks, including architectural fragments, ceramics, jewelry, furniture, paintings, and sculpture.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Gillis van Tilborgh
A Picture Gallery, 1660–1670
Nicolaes Maes
Nicolaes Maes
Portrait of a Lady, circa 1670
Bernard Palissy and Workshop
Rustic Basin, circa 1570–1590
Bernard Palissy and Workshop
toad, 1500s–1700s
Bernard Palissy and Workshop
Thomas Patch
Jan Both
Cristoforo Monari
Still Life with Dog and Fruit, late 1600s–early 1700s
Pierre-Jacques Volaire
Seacoast with Ships, mid-late 1700s
Jan van Vucht; Anthonie Palamedesz.
Church Interior, circa 1625–1632
Circle of Bernard Bellotto
Claude Lorrain
Friedrich Nerly
Carl Spitzweg
Charles François Daubigny
Thomas Cole
Hunting Scene, circa 2500 BCE, Old Kingdom (circa 2575 BCE–2150 BCE)
Thomas Cole
torso of Apollo, circa 100 BCE–100 CE, Roman Empire (27 BCE–395 CE)
Thomas Cole
Torso of Venus, circa 100s CE
Bernardino Ludovisi
Mary Magdalene, circa 1735–1740
Bernardino Ludovisi
Bernardino Ludovisi
console table, 1700s
Henri Jacobs
bust of a woman, circa 1900–1910
Lilla Cabot Perry
Jean-Léon Gérôme
Jean-Léon Gérôme
game table, late 1800s
Jean-Léon Gérôme
sideboard table, mid 1700s
Marc Antonio Franceschini
The Muse of Astronomy, late 1600s–early 1700s
Marc Antonio Franceschini
ten-panel Coromandel screen, 1800s, Qing dynasty, 1644–1911
unrecorded Mumuye artist
vabo mask, late 1800s
unrecorded Mumuye artist
vase, Qianlong period (1736–1795), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
unrecorded Mumuye artist
半支迦 Hanshika (Pāñcika), 1700s or 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
unrecorded Bassa artist
sowei mask, mid-late 1900s
unrecorded Ifugao artist
Antonio Canova
Max Ernst
Max Ernst
head of Buddha, 400s, Sasanian dynasty (224–651)
Max Ernst
tomb figurine head, Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)
unrecorded Asante artist
unrecorded Asante artist
unrecorded Ife artist
portrait head, mid 1900s
unrecorded Ife artist
head, Greco–Roman Empire, 800s BCE–400s CE
unrecorded Mojave artist
human figure, 1850–1890
unrecorded Mojave artist
Tanagra figurine, late 300s–200s BCE, Hellenistic period (323–146 BCE)
unrecorded Mojave artist
head of a monk, 1800s, Edo Period (1600–1868)
unrecorded Mojave artist
bowl, 1200–1300s, Ilkhanid dynasty (1256–1353)
unrecorded Mojave artist
morion (helmet), 1500s or 1800s
Louis Henry Sullivan
Head of a bodhisattva, 1100s–1200s, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279)
Louis Henry Sullivan
Domenico Gaggini
Domenico Gaggini
Winged Eros with a Shield, circa 200s CE, Roman Empire (27 BCE–395 CE)
Domenico Gaggini
dolphin, 300s–mid 400s, late Roman Empire (27 BCE–395 CE) or Early Christian (100–500 CE)
Domenico Gaggini
Circle of Ignaz Günther
Saint Cosmas, circa 1750–1765
Circle of Ignaz Günther
Saint Damian, circa 1750–1765
Giovanni Francesco Rustici
Four Sea Horses, circa early 1500s
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
carpet, 1880–1890, Qajar period (1794–1925)
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
jar, 1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Robert Gibb
Robert Gibb
side chair, circa 1710
William Morris; Morris, Marshal, Faulkner & Co.
Sussex chair, circa 1870
William Morris; Morris, Marshal, Faulkner & Co.
urn table, circa 1780
Marc Antonio Franceschini
The Muse of Music, late 1600s–early 1700s
Marc Antonio Franceschini
sofa, 1830–1840
unrecorded Chokwe artist
ngunja (carved stool), late 1800s–1914
unrecorded Chokwe artist
vase with lid, circa 1700s
unrecorded Chokwe artist
plate with seashells, 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
unrecorded Chokwe artist
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.
chocolate pot, circa 1769–1795
Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom
Robert Garrard I
Robert Garrard I
saucer with landscape, 1750s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
John Edward Terrey & Co.
spice shaker, circa 1810
John Edward Terrey & Co.
unrecorded Kongo artist
carved ivory tusk, circa 1900
Benjamin Martin
octant, mid 1700s
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Lothar Osterburg
Lothar Osterburg
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
vase, circa 1926–1928
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
aryballos, late 600–early 500 BCE
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
bowl, 1700–1735
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
folding fan, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
wine ewer, 1200s, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
melon-shaped ewer, 1000s–1100s, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
shell-shaped lamp, late 1800s
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
tetsubin (kettle), late 1800s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
cong-shaped vase with bagua motif, mid 1700s, mark and reign of Qianlong period (1736–1795), Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
bowl, 1700s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
bowl, 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
seashell hanging vase, mid 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
vase, 1800s, Qajar period (1795–1925)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
ewer, 1800s, Qajar period (1795–1925)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
cup, 1800s, Qajar period (1794–1925)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
candlestick, circa 1800s, Qajar period (1795–1925)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
Osiris, Ptolemaic Period, 305–30 BCE
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
pair of Chinese opera figurines, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Victor Durand Jr.; Vineland Flint Glass Works
Elie Nadelman
standing figure, mid 1900s
Roman Bronze Works
primate figure, early 1900s
Roman Bronze Works
reflection ball, circa 1855–1890
Roman Bronze Works
loom weight, Middle Bronze Age (2000–1600 BCE)
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.
vase, 1860–1891
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.
weight with reclining lion, Neo–Assyrian Empire, 911 BCE–612 BCE
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.
amphoriskos, late 600–early 500 BCE
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.
vase, 200s–300s, Roman Empire, 27 BCE–476 CE
Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd.
Belleek Pottery Works Company Ltd
teapot with lid, circa 1890
Paul Teeter
scarab paperweight, 1920–1922
William Tyler
water clock, 1694
William Tyler
Niccoló Fiorentino
Michael Henry Spang; Edward Burch
Michael Henry Spang; Edward Burch
crab-shaped inkwell, late 1500s
Michael Henry Spang; Edward Burch
Enthroned Zeus, circa 100 CE, Roman Empire (27 BCE–476 CE)
Michael Henry Spang; Edward Burch
sea horse sculpture, early 1500s
Michael Henry Spang; Edward Burch
Neptune, 1700s
Andrea Riccio
Vulcan Forging Arrows, circa 1500–1530
Andrea Riccio
lion head finial, early 1400s
Andrea Riccio
Pietro Tacca
Johann Joachim Kändler; Meissen Porcelain Factory
Der Tritonenfang (Triton Fishing), late 1890s–early 1900s
Johann Joachim Kändler; Meissen Porcelain Factory
Saint Sebastian, late 1400s
Durand Art Glass
vase, 1924–1931
Durand Art Glass
coffee cup and stand, circa 1920s, Republic period, (1923–present)
Charles Marion Russell
Charles Marion Russell
Charles Marion Russell
horse, early 1500s
Giambologna
bull, early 1600s
Giambologna
male figure, mid 1900s
Giambologna
brush holder, late 1800s, Ottoman Empire (1299–1923)
Adelheid Lange Roosevelt
Bird, circa 1913
Adelheid Lange Roosevelt
pair of dragon-shaped chariot fittings, circa 300 BCE, Warring States period (BCE 481–BCE 221)
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi
The Lion of Belfort, mid 1800s–early 1900s
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Salamander vase, 1905–1910
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Ganesha, early 1900s
Louis Comfort Tiffany
bowl, 1925
Louis Comfort Tiffany
bowl, 1925
Irene Bishop; Rookwood Pottery
vase, 1907
Irene Bishop; Rookwood Pottery
rhyton drinking horn, early 1900s
Irene Bishop; Rookwood Pottery
Irene Bishop; Rookwood Pottery
pair of lions, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Irene Bishop; Rookwood Pottery
Irene Bishop; Rookwood Pottery
Coalport Porcelain Works
Coalport Porcelain Works
tea caddy, mid 1800s
Coalport Porcelain Works
fork, 1700s
Coalport Porcelain Works
ruyi sceptre, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Coalport Porcelain Works
fish-shaped pendant, 1200 BCE–1000 BCE, late Shang dynasty (circa 1600–1046 BCE) to early Western Zhou dynasty (circa 1120–770 BCE)
Coalport Porcelain Works
miniature shrine, early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Black, Starr and Frost
calla lily vase, late 1800s
Black, Starr and Frost
Black, Starr and Frost
Black, Starr and Frost
Jupiter, 1700s
Black, Starr and Frost
drunken faun, late 1700s
Black, Starr and Frost
unrecorded A:shiwi (Zuñi) artist
jar with three frogs, 1900–1940
unrecorded Native Alaskan artist
Lucy M. Lewis
Peter Hutchinson
Peter Hutchinson
Peter Hutchinson
three tiles, late 1400s, Lodi dynasty (1451–1526)
Dale Chihuly
Cinnamon Macchia, circa 1997
Dale Chihuly
container, 200–300s, Roman Empire, 27 BCE–476 CE
Angelica Kauffman
Joseph Wright of Derby
Master of the Apollini Sacrum
Master of the Apollini Sacrum
pax with the Pietà, circa 1500
Christian Adolf Schreyer
Arab Horsemen, mid 1800s
Victor-Etienne Simyan
Isis and the infant Horus, circa 300 BCE, Ptolemaic Kingdom, 332 BCE–30 CE
Victor-Etienne Simyan
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
weight, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
balance for gold dust, late 1800s–early 1900s
unrecorded Asante artist
spoon for gold dust, late 1800s–early 1900s
Bi Rongjiu
snuff bottle with stopper, 1890–1920, Qing dynasty (1644–1911) to Republic of China (1911–1949)
Bi Rongjiu
horses, snuff bottle with stopper, 1850–1875, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Bi Rongjiu
birds and plum, snuff bottle with stopper, circa 1850s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Yan Yutian
Second Spring, snuff bottle with stopper, 1895, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Yan Yutian
snuff bottle with stopper, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Yan Yutian
苦瓜 kugua (bitter melon), snuff bottle with stopper, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Yan Yutian
snuff bottle with stopper, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Yan Yutian
佛手 foshou (citron), snuff bottle with stopper, late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Tetsugendō Naofusa
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with geese passing the moon, 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Kinai School
鍔 tsuba (sword guard), 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Hirata School
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with wisteria, 1600, Edo period (1600–1868)
Tsu Jinpo
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with lobster, Edo period (1600–1868)
Ishiguro Masakatsu
鍔 tsuba (sword guard) with dragon flies, 1850s, Edo period (1600–1868) or Meiji period (1868–1912)
Umetada (Okada) Zenzaemon Nobumasa
鍔 tsuba (sword handle) with 鐙 abumi (stirrups), late 1600s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Ōtsuki Mitsuhiro
小柄 kozuka (knife handle) with crane, Edo period (1600–1868)
Gōto School
小柄 kozuka (knife handle) with deer, 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
vase, 1882
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
container, 200–300s, Roman Empire, 27 BCE–476 CE
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
jar, 300–400s, Roman Empire, 27 BCE–476 CE
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
Rookwood Pottery; William Purcell McDonald
coffee cup and stand, circa 1920s, Republic Period (1923–present)

Events

May 6, 2011
Tour
11:00AM–12:00PM
Gallery 401
February 3, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
February 9, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
February 10, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
February 16, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
February 17, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
February 23, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
February 24, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 14, 2013
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 401
April 11, 2013
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 401
April 14, 2013
Activity
1:00–3:00PM
Gallery 401, Gallery 317 Central Court
April 27, 2013
Activity
10:30–11:30AM
Gallery 405
May 4, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 5, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 11, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 12, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 18, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 19, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 25, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 405
May 26, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 405
July 6, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 7, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 13, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 14, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 20, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 21, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 27, 2013
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
July 28, 2013
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 1, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 2, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 8, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 9, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 13, 2014
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 401
March 15, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 16, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 20, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–5:00PM
Gallery 401
March 21, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 22, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 23, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 29, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
March 30, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
September 11, 2014
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 401
December 6, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 7, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 13, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 14, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 20, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 21, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 27, 2014
Activity
10:00AM–4:00PM
Gallery 401
December 28, 2014
Activity
12:00–4:00PM
Gallery 401
April 25, 2015
Activity
10:30–11:30AM
The Panorama, Natural History Museum, Dyche Hall, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd

Resources

Documents