Jar

Sickman purchased this jar from dealer Celestin Liu in Peiping (modern day Beijing), China in 1931. Sickman paid lower prices to dealers in China than in the United States, but this economic advantage came with a logistical challenge: the distance between Beijing and Kansas City is about 6,600 miles and shipping fragile, rare works of art that far was difficult. Each object needed to be carefully packed before making the long journey by boat across the Pacific Ocean, then usually continuing by rail from Seattle to Kansas City. Sometimes the voyage took several months. Despite its perilous journey, this stoneware jar made it fully intact.

Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust