"Obsessions", our fall exhibition, illustrates the history of museums (and especially art museums) in honor of the Centennial of the Manor House, home of the Peninsula Museum of Art.
Throughout history, wealthy people have traveled and collected objets d'art (and whatever else caught their fancy), brought them home, and displayed them in "cabinets of curiosities" for their own pleasure and to entertain and impress their dinner guests.
Over time, these personal collections grew and grew until special buildings were needed and built to house and care for the objects properly. Many of these collections became private (and ultimately public) museums.
An outstanding personal collection doesn't just happen. There must be a commitment to the particular object or class of objects, and the commitment must endure over time, with resources dedicated to the search for and acquisition of additional coveted objects: an obsession.
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Antique silk robes,
including one worn by Emperor Pu Yi
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Dolphins
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Xenophora (marine snails)
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Rare comic books
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Boots
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Jade and ivory mah jongg sets
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Doorknobs
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Snails
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British toy lead soldiers
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Gold Rush Waterwheels
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Cindi Serbin & Lolli Freedman (top) introduce neophytes Jerry Emanuel, Ruth Waters, and Cyn Stern (left to right)to the mysteries of American Mah Jongg during the first class
Terri Cook's collection of miniature pianos in glass, porcelain, and metal is closely inspected during the reception for "Obsessions
