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The Collectors’ Quest

11 Jul 2015 - 17 Mar 2016

Kyoko Kumai Japan, 1943 Air Balls, 2006 Stainless steel 12 x 6 inches Karen and Robert Duncan Collection

The Collectors’ Quest will focus on more than a dozen collections accumulated by Karen and
Robert Duncan, from exceptional Japanese bamboo and contemporary baskets to a charming assortment of pie birds (gadgets designed to keep pie crusts flaky and fillings from running over).

There are stories for every grouping. Karen’s mother, Dorothy Kent, initiated the epergne and pie bird collections. Robert loves acquiring extraordinary ties, shoes, glasses, and hats . . . and his enjoyment of a great martini stimulated the assortment of cocktail shakers and glasses.

Ikebana Basket Japan, 1897-1907 Bamboo

George Segal American- 1924-2000 Woman in Armchair Bronze with white patina 46-3/4 x 31-1/2 x 47-3/4 Karen and Robert Duncan Collection.

Karen has amassed Steuben hand coolers, cast-iron banks and Japanese Sumida Gawa Pottery.
She has also developed collections for other people, such as brass lady bells for her granddaughter, Summers, and vintage samplers for George Neubert’s Flatwater Folk Art Museum in Brownville, Neb.

Other collections simply appeared over time. The Duncans didn’t set out to accumulate a collection of chairs. They simply liked beautifully designed, quirky and sculptural chairs. Outstanding examples include functional designs by Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and artworks by Roy Lichtenstein, Isamu Noguchi, Scott Burton, Arman and George Segal.

Isamu Noguchi American, 1904-1988 Appalachian Spring: Rocking Chair , 1944-1985 Bronze 40 -3/4 x 33-1/2 x 15-3/4 inches Karen and Robert Duncan Collection

Scott Burton American, 1939 – 1989 English Chairs, 1989 Stained lacquered maple 41 x 25 x 22 Karen and Robert Duncan Collection

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  • Date: 11 Jul 2015 - 17 Mar 2016
  • Location:Upper Level, Lower Level
  • Curators:Anne Pagel

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Kyoko Kumai Japan, 1943 Air Balls, 2006 Stainless steel 12 x 6 inches Karen and Robert Duncan Collection

The Collectors’ Quest will focus on more than a dozen collections accumulated by Karen and
Robert Duncan, from exceptional Japanese bamboo and contemporary baskets to a charming assortment of pie birds (gadgets designed to keep pie crusts flaky and fillings from running over).

There are stories for every grouping. Karen’s mother, Dorothy Kent, initiated the epergne and pie bird collections. Robert loves acquiring extraordinary ties, shoes, glasses, and hats . . . and his enjoyment of a great martini stimulated the assortment of cocktail shakers and glasses.

Ikebana Basket Japan, 1897-1907 Bamboo

George Segal American- 1924-2000 Woman in Armchair Bronze with white patina 46-3/4 x 31-1/2 x 47-3/4 Karen and Robert Duncan Collection.

Karen has amassed Steuben hand coolers, cast-iron banks and Japanese Sumida Gawa Pottery.
She has also developed collections for other people, such as brass lady bells for her granddaughter, Summers, and vintage samplers for George Neubert’s Flatwater Folk Art Museum in Brownville, Neb.

Other collections simply appeared over time. The Duncans didn’t set out to accumulate a collection of chairs. They simply liked beautifully designed, quirky and sculptural chairs. Outstanding examples include functional designs by Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and artworks by Roy Lichtenstein, Isamu Noguchi, Scott Burton, Arman and George Segal.

Isamu Noguchi American, 1904-1988 Appalachian Spring: Rocking Chair , 1944-1985 Bronze 40 -3/4 x 33-1/2 x 15-3/4 inches Karen and Robert Duncan Collection

Scott Burton American, 1939 – 1989 English Chairs, 1989 Stained lacquered maple 41 x 25 x 22 Karen and Robert Duncan Collection