HIGHLIGHT DONNA SMITH REID ‘51 GIFT IN DECEMBER 2016, SCMA RECEIVED A GENEROUS gift of 22 Chinese ceramic works from Donna Smith Reid ‘51. Acquired over a number of decades from reputable dealers in the United States, Europe and Asia, the collection is strong in ancient earthenware figurines— particularly from the Tang dynasty (618–907)—as well as finely glazed wares of the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties. Encouraged by the news of the establishment of the Carol T. Christ Asian Art Gallery in 2015, Reid donated this group of ceramics to SCMA. The gift greatly enhances the representation of Chinese archaeological materials and decorative arts in the museum’s collection. These ceramic works are fine examples of a variety of pottery and sculptural techniques, and demonstrate different firing and glazing processes utilized in a number of kilns that were historically important. The mortuary objects protected and accompanied the deceased in the afterlife, whereas the exquisite bowls and vases bespoke the taste and wealth of their owners and collectors. Individually or as a group, Reid’s gift opens up opportunities for studies in art and culture, material science and socioeconomic history. It also invites multidisciplinary inquiries about aesthetics and functionality, burial practice and cultural consumption, and material and artistic exchange in pre-modern China. ACQUISITION HIGHLIGHTS ABOVE LEFT: Unknown. Chinese, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Tea Bowl with “Hare’s Fur”; Decoration. Stoneware with iron-oxide glaze (Jian ware). Gift of Donna Smith Reid, class of 1951 ABOVE RIGHT: Unknown. Chinese, Tang dynasty (618–907). Figure of a Court Lady. Earthenware with pigment. Gift of Donna Smith Reid, class of 1951 54