Having works of art that span such a vast time period will allow the museum not only to tell the progression of techniques, trends and tastes in Chinese ceramics, but how those trends and techniques filtered into the broader, more global ceramic arts scene, UM exclaimed in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Weese family for their generosity," said Natsu Oyobe, curator of Asian art at UMMA. "I just know that the passion and love they felt for these pieces will continue to live on at UMMA and inspire a new generation of interest and scholarship for ceramics."

The gift will greatly strengthen UMMA's place as a leader in ceramic arts and continue to build its nationally renowned collection of Asian art, Oyobe added.

Select pieces from the Weese's collection will be on exhibit at UMMA as early as fall 2021.