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Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection

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Bodhisattva. Nepal. Early Malla period, 13th century. Gilt copper with inlays of semiprecious stones. H. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.49
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Bodhisattva. Nepal. Early Malla period, 13th century. Gilt copper with inlays of semiprecious stones. H. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.49

The formation of the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection was begun in earnest after the establishment of Asia Society in 1956. With the help of the noted scholar of Asian art Sherman Lee, John D. Rockefeller 3rd and Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller chose classical masterpieces of Asian art rather that building a historical survey. Although the collection comprises fewer than 300 objects, it is nevertheless viewed as one of the most notable collections of Asian art in the United States.

The collection was a promised gift to the Society and served as a primary impetus for the building of the Society’s headquarters on Park Avenue. First exhibited in two parts in 1970 and 1975 and given to the Society upon the death of Mr. Rockefeller in 1978, the collection was shown it its entirety in 1981 when the new building opened. The collection now includes not only the works given in 1978 but also acquisitions made since then and a number of objects bequeathed from the estate of Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller.

The collection includes objects from cultures stretching from Pakistan to Japan to Java that date from the 11th century BCE to the 19th century CE. It has particular strengths in Chinese ceramics of the Song and Ming periods, Chola-period Indian bronzes, and Southeast Asian sculptures.

Please note that the Rockefeller Collection is on occasional view. To learn more about the Rockefeller Collection, visit The Collection in Context or visit the Current Exhibitions page for information about works now on display.

spss help | 02:01:12 02:41am

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richard rennie | 03:04:11 09:07am
being quite familiar with this bodhisattva as well as other parts of the collection, it's something that i'd love to see again. perhaps, in context of content for education and the depth/breadth itself when compared to ventures that present so many falsehoods and marginal content under the auspices of learning and solutions. when some cannot even introduce anthropology but only exploitation and trafficking, it continues to astonish me, that is, the numbers of people who will blindly embrace septic programs. i'd love to see this again as well as your japanese music presentation, as i enjoyed many performances and presentations in the past. kind regards.
Mary Anne McGlyn | 09:20:10 02:01pm
I have several articles of beautiful antique Oriental clothing - one label says "made in Hong Kong colony of the British Empire." The clothes are in excellent condition. I would like to sell them. Would the museum be interested? And, if not, can you suggest who might be?
Geraldine Wilner | 08:08:10 09:04pm
I have a bronze vase from, perhaps, the Ming dynasty, that I would like to have one of your experts look at to see if it is indeed a Ming piece. It has the relief of a turtle with a snake in it's mouth on the bottom inside the vase. I would be able to attach pictures of it. Sincerely, Geraldine Wilner
john hong | 11:10:11 12:17am

hi
if u email me the nice photo of all sides especially bottom, i may have my friend to look at it. he is private collector of Chinese antiques.
regards
john

Dave | 11:20:11 02:32pm

Hi Jonh, I also have antiques that belonged to my grandfather from china and southeast asia.
Can you help me selling the collection?

Thanks

Dave

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