Alexander Brest Museum

The Museum. A visit to The Alexander Brest Museum and Gallery will prove to be a visually illuminating and enriching cultural experience for the casual visitor or serious student alike. The exhibits are a diverse collection of unique decorative arts in ceramics, porcelains, paintings, prints and sculpture.Ivory Collection. Exemplifying both Oriental and European cultural motifs, the Brest Museum Ivory Room contains some of the finest examples of ivory carvings dating from the early 17th to late 19th century. The great number of pieces, their lush detail, rhythmic lines, and large scale make this collection a must see on the East Coast.Pre-Columbian Collection. The artifacts in the Pre-Columbian collection portray the cultural aspects of lost civilizations in Mexico and in Central and South American from circa 3000 BC to 1500 AD. The strong and simple designs range from utilitarian ceramic objects and gold jewelry to burial tomb effigies and sacred spirit artifacts.Steuben Collection. The collection of Steuben glass spans 2 eras. The Frederick Carder Era (1903-1932) represents outstanding examples of glass in full spectrum colors. Those pieces of the current era, started under the direction of Arthur A Houghton, exhibit the absolutely colorless sculpted crystal glass regarded internationally as "The American Glass".Chinese Porcelain and Cloisonne. This eclectic collection displays many examples of 18th, 19th and 20th century cloisonne and fine porcelain. These objets d'art span the traditional dynasties and design motifs in a rich mixture of miniature tea pots, a number of serving dishes, bowls, and a diversity of vases.Tiffany Collection. The stunning exhibit of this artist's Art Nouveau glassware best exemplifies the "Favrile" iridescent glass, such as Cypriote and Lustre Ware. In addition, there are several pieces of Reactive glass. The showiest piece in the collection is an outstanding 10-unit Lily lamp executed in iridescent gold, circa 1900-1906.Boehm Collection. Every US President since Eisenhower presented Boehm porcelain as gifts to foreign dignitaries. The exquisite pieces in the museum's collection are representative of the internationally acclaim awarded art porcelain from the Boehm studio. Founder Edward Marshall Boehm has been described as the ceramic genius of the age in depicting natural scenes.Exhibitions and Changing Shows. The Premier Gallery serves as the changing educational exhibition area for the University, exhibiting the works of faculty, students, and local, regional, national and international artists. Their work attracts the notice and regard of critics and connoissers alike who attend the popular show opening receptions staged here.