In 1997 the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery received the collection of Chinese art that had been formed by the late Dr. Paul Singer of Summit, New Jersey, and formally gifted to the museum. While cataloguing the collection for acquisition, the museum staff determined that 160 documented objects were missing from Dr. Singer’s residence at the time of his death in January 1997. These missing Chinese art objects belong to the Smithsonian Institution and thus are federal property.
Dr. Singer’s gift, consisting of nearly five thousand objects, doubled the Gallery’s holdings in ancient Chinese art. The museum’s goal is to see the collection reunited as he intended, providing important opportunities for research in China’s early art and culture.
The Sackler Gallery is seeking information or assistance leading to the recovery of these missing objects. Please contact the Gallery if you have information regarding these objects or events surrounding their removal from Dr. Singer’s residence or if you have questions regarding items you believe may be from this group of art objects. All communication will remain confidential to the extent permitted by law.
Anyone contemplating buying or selling ancient Chinese art objects should consult this website first.
Please contact:
Danielle Bennett
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012, MRC 707
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Telephone 202.633.0342
Fax 202.633.9770
Email BennettD2@si.edu
The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery was a joint gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler.
View the missing art objects from the Dr. Paul Singer Collection »