The pieces in this collection were acquired by Rev. John Littleberry Hendry in the early 20th century. Hendry served in China as a missionary, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (MECS), from 1888 to 1926. He brought back many artifacts from his visits to China, including items from the Qing Dynasty and the Early Modern China period.

Hendry married Alice H. Sedgewick on August 15, 1888.