Page 112 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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For Loo, the museum with its connection to patrons, collectors, and scholars was a

place where information about his collection could be effectively disseminated. Loo

notified the curator of the Freer Gallery Carl W. Bishop the publication of his 1941-2 sale

catalogue. Loo wrote, “…if it is not too much to ask you, please kindly speak to any of

your friends who are interested in Chinese Arts regarding this exceptional exhibition and

243
sale”. Bishop responded, “…I find your catalogue most interesting, as well as
splendidly gotten up. You may rest assured that I shall lose no opportunity of mentioning

it to my friends.” 244

The museum considered the dealer an important source of information about the

object’s provenance, condition, and age. 245 It was a standard practice that Loo provided

243
C. T. Loo to C.W. Bishop, October 25, 1941, F/S Field Expedition Records, 1914,
1923-42, Box 7 of 22, SI.
244 C.W. Bishop to C. T. Loo, November 7, 1941, F/S Field Expedition Records, 1914,
1923-42, Box 7 of 22, SI.
245
When questions arose concerning the age and condition of the MFA’s famous Lohan
statue sold by the Yamanaka & Co., D. Ushikubo, the manager of the New York House
of the company promised the curator Lodge that in his coming trip to China he would
make every effort to investigate the history of the Lohan before it was brought to Europe,
by whom or when it was restored. (J.E. Lodge to Director, March 30, 1916, Lodge
official correspondence, folder, box: unknown, AAOA-MFA) A few months later, A
letter of Ushikubo was sent to Lodge to explain the repair work done to the Lohan.“‘I
tried to secure full information in regard to the Lohan figure of the Boston Museum.
Fortunately, I have had an interview with Mr. Terazawa 245 (Japanese) who brought the
figure with a few Chinese partners from the temple.
The number of figures he brought out are three; one figure perfect, after a hard task,
and the other two by breaking on account of their packing, etc.
It was almost impossible to carry lifesize figure in perfect condition such long journey
and obliged to break the heads, bodys (sic.) and stands and carry back only the heads and
bodys (sic.), leaving behind the stands at that time.
…By this statement it is certain that the repairings were made at Peking when the
separate parts of the body arrived, and it is now clear that the head and body of the Lohan
which is now in the possession of the Boston Museum are of the same age.’” (Sirae to
J.E.Lodge, September 6, 1916, folder and box unknown, AAOA-MFA)Though missing