Page 123 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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Wan Li, and of the period, belonging to the set of three sold last year by Sparks to the

British Museum. Of course they are very important being the only ones, besides the black

incense burner in the Metropolitan Museum, of the Ming period which we know.” Bosch

Reitz also pointed out that Loo did not mention some important information. “What Loo

does not write, but what I know, having heard from London where they were offered to

the British Museum, is that they have been broken and repaired, also that Sparks asked a

270
big price, more than he got for the set of three.” (Fig. 33)

Hobby in his letter offered further advice to Rockefeller, “I write to Mr. Loo to thank

him for sending the photograph. Tell him you have seen it, that we consider it an

interesting example of Ming porcelain, but we also note it has been very badly broken.

The colors cannot be determined from a photograph…if he should bring it here at any

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time you will be glad to see it.”

In 1921 when Rockefeller received Loo’ offer of a Chinese gilt bronze statue at the

price of $40,000 in 1921, Hobby suggested that Rockefeller make a counteroffer

beginning with $25,000. Hobby wrote, “It stands to reason that he wants to make a large

a profit on this piece as possible but the market for such things is dead and he may be

very glad to get his money out of it.” 272

The dynamism of this network was also manifested in places that required

collaborative effort from all sides, such as large-scale exhibitions and organizations. The

270 Ibid.
271
T. Hobby to JDR Jr, August 28, 1931, folder 1370, C. T. Loo 1916-1949, box 137,
OMR-RAC.
272 T. Hobby to JDR Jr., June 25, 1921, folder 1370, C. T. Loo 1916-1949, box 137,
OMR-RAC.