Welcome!

This online exhibition celebrates a temporary display of 60+ pieces from the Nadler collection which opened in November 2012 in Winterthur’s Ceramics and Glass Galleries.  At that time, the Nadler collection of over 300 Chinese export and 28 Japanese export ceramics was promised to Winterthur.  In 2014, the entire collection was brought to the Museum and became a formal, finalized gift.

The Nadler collection focuses on objects from the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China from 1645 until 1908. Many of the pieces date to the 19th century and (Link) China to Order, by Daniel Nadlerinclude wares made for different markets around the world. The Nadlers began collecting while traveling in New England and were intrigued by the broad range of patterns produced. Surprised at how little information was available on the period, they eventually published China to Order, which discusses their porcelain against the historical backdrop of trade with China.  (An updated digital, version of China to Order was created for this online exhibition.)

Daniel Nadler was born in Egypt of European parents and always had a deep love of design and fascination with the ability of objects to illuminate the past. Before beginning his career as a construction manager, he spent two years in Japan as an Air Force officer, gaining an appreciation for Oriental art. Dan met Serga in her native Iran, and over thirty-five years they built their collection together.

Avid photographers, the Nadlers contributed the images for this virtual exhibition.  Serga Nadler, who survives Dan, lives in New York City when she is not traveling.  She is a docent emerita of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she guided tours for eighteen years.

In celebration of the Nadler promised gift, the Winterthur Ceramics Conference in April 2013 was themed The World is a Marketplace: An Obsession with Chinese Porcelain.  An annual event, the Ceramics Conference brought together international scholars and collectors and featured a series of lectures and hands-on workshops.

Leslie B. Grigsby
Senior Curator of Ceramics & Glass
Winterthur