Page 200 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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CHAPTER 5: SPECTACLE

“I am glad to learn that you are here in the States again,--no doubt with many fine and

rare objects to make Museums and collectors open their eyes.” 396

---Letter from K. Tomita to C. T. Loo, November 27, 1929

C. T. Loo was a well-recognized showman who exuded charm and power on his

audience. Nothing can better illustrate Loo’s ability to capture his clients’ eye than an

observation from John E. Lodge, the leading Asian art authority. With both admiration

and acrimony, Lodge wrote, “ I am glad to hear that Mr. Pickman is taking an interest in

the Kuan-yin. As shown in Mr. Loo’s shop, the figure stood in a tall, narrow

compartment of one of the large Chinese display cabinets which adorn Mr. Loo’s back

office. The compartment was lined with a neutral colored velvet, I should say, and the

lighting was electric. The general effect was good in the somewhat meretricious way

which (the?) dealers seem to find exerts a potent charm upon the majority of their

customers.” 397

Indeed, no word is better than “spectacle” to describe the kind of experiences that C. T.

Loo created for his audience. Spectacle suggests a visually powerful experience, which is

intended to convey a particular message to a particular audience in a particular time and

place.

396 K. Tomita to C. T. Loo, November 27, 1929, folder: C. T. Loo, box: L to M, 1927-
1930, AAOA-MFA.
397
Dudley Leavitt Pickman was a benefactor of the MFA. J.E. Lodge to K. Tomita, Dec
30, 1921, folder: Lai-Yuan Co., box: Unofficial Correspondence L, 1910-1922, AAOA-
MFA.