Jane Werner Watson, alumna and distinguished author of children's books, lived in India from 1960 until 1962 with her husband Earnest C. Watson, who was then a scientific attaché assigned to the US Embassy. Originally with no idea of collecting, they soon became enthralled by the art they found. Subsequently, the Watsons donated their collection of Indian miniature paintings and South and Southeast Asian manuscripts to the Chazen. Included are Indian folk paintings, Tibetan Than-kas, illuminated manuscripts, including a Koran, commentary and the poems of Hafiz, a Bhagavad Gita with thirty painted illustrations, a Persian manuscript with thirty-one illustrations, and a 17th-century Persian manuscript on grammar, astronomy, mathematics, and cabalistics with fourteen illustrations, as well as an Ethiopian Bible and a number of Buddhist palm-leaf manuscripts exemplifying the distinct calligraphic traditions of Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, and Ceylon. In addition to the objects mentioned, the Watson Collection includes over 230 outstanding Indian miniature paintings and is considered one of the most important resources of the museum.

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