Many of the exhibits have come from private collections all over the world, some distinguished and some lesser known, whose owners appreciated areas of Chinese art for the love of the subject and of the culture. While some owners wish to remain anonymous, we are pleased to offer items formerly in the collections of Irene, Lady Astor of Hever, A. W. Bahr, James Biddle, Lord Cunliffe, Henry de Laszlo, George de Menasce, Carl Kempe and Esmond Bradley Martin, among others. The late Alfred and Ivy Clark are one of the most famous collecting couples and we have objects from their less well-known fields of interest; many examples of theirs are now in museums and private collections around the world.

Roger Keverne