January 19, 2002 - March 31, 2002

On January 19, 2002 the Reading Public Museum will open its next major exhibition The Mullen Family Collection of Southeast Asian Earthenwares from the Neolithic Period to the 19th Century with a Member Reception from 6pm to 8pm sponsored by the Friends of the Reading Museum. The exhibit will run through March 31, 2002 and is included with regular Museum admission of $4 adults, $2 children 4 to 17. Members and children under 4 are admitted free. Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 11am to 5pm, Wednesday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

This intriguing collection contains 56 notable objects including an elaborate Chu Dan design covered pot with spout from the 15th Century, a rare gold-gilded, brass Buddha from the 11th Century, back to a detailed Neolithic jug that was molded by hand circa 5000 BC. Other works of art in the collection include jars, urns, pots, vases and bowls. There are also ornaments, a pipe, a rare bronze censer and a fascinating Tibetan Buddha scroll. Overall this significant collection is quite a stretch of human history with pieces from the Early Neolithic Era through the 19th Century. Most of the objects were acquired in Southeast Asia, an area that was inevitably fused territorially and culturally with the Chinese Empires, which, in turn, influenced the local Southeast Asian tradition of art and pottery. It is this "fusion of cultures" quality that sets the Mullen Family Collection apart from other Asian collections.

The Mullen Family, Benjamin and Catherine, came from a long line of collectors over many decades. They were originally from Boston, but settled in Reading, PA in 1958. Benjamin and Catherine had four children - Doran A., Joseph L., Michael A., and Thomas P. All of the children attended high school in Reading with the last two receiving all of their primary and secondary education in the area. From the time the Mullens moved to Reading, the family always lived within a few miles of the Reading Public Museum creating many happy memories of visiting the Museum. The Mullen Family graciously donated this entire collection to the Reading Public Museum in 2000, an institution that played an important role in their childhoods. Museum Director/Curator Robert Metzger comments, "The gift of the Mullen family is the most significant addition of Asian works of art to the Museum's collection in the past 15 years. Our two galleries devoted to the art of Asia will be re-invigorated and enriched by this generous donation for generations to come.

Robert Metzger, Ph.D
Director, CEO, Chief Curator Reading Public Museum