Page 219 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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throughout the U.S. to raise funds for civilian sufferers in China. 420 This exhibition was

unusual in its high percentage of female sponsors; five committees responsible for

various aspects of the exhibition were composed exclusively of women except the

treasurer and secretary. The roster of sponsors included a galaxy of female dignitaries.

Mme. Chiang Kai-shek, the wife of the Chinese Generalissimo, and Mme. Wellington

Koo, the wife of the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, were honorary

Chairwomen of the exhibition. Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was on the executive

committee. Mrs. William H. Moore and Mrs. C. T. Loo were on the exhibition

committee. 421 The exhibition was also distinguished by a high concentration of private

female lenders/collectors (Arden Gallery 1939, 6). 422 Only four male private

lenders/collectors were listed. In contrast, there were ten women lenders/collectors who

were listed independently under the title “Mrs.”, and two women were listed together

with their husbands.

The paring of American high society women with Chinese jades is hardly surprising.

Chinese jades could be easily identified by them as jewelry and home decoration items.

The jade-woman duet in the course of the exhibition began with a fanciful event

presenting American debutants in the junior committee. The New York Times announced,

“A private opening on Jan. 10 will be featured by the serving of Chinese tea and

420 New York Times, January 1, 1939.
421 Mrs. William H. Moore or Ada Small Moore was the widow of the industrialist who
formed the important corporations that became part of United States Steel.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E0DA133BF932A15750C0A96494
8260
422 The three contributing dealers were C. T. Loo, Tonying & Co. and Bahr. The exhibits
also came from Dumbarton Oakes collection.