Page 228 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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Museum of Art toward the end of his career (Met 51.52) (Fig. 78). Loo stated in his

offer, “If your committee deems it important enough to accept it, as gift, then I have a

request to make that within the forthcoming twenty years, this head should be exhibited.

If some day, in the future, for reasons unpredictable to-day, your Museum had to store

this head away in a basement, then your Institution should, at that time, turn it over to

some other Museum, where it would be shown to the Public.” 438

Loo was aware that the home and office of celebrities like John D. Rockefeller Jr. with

their impressive display of art treasures, were art galleries and centers of public

439
attention. The view of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.’s home shows that Chinese Ming and

Qing porcelains were arranged in a luxurious setting in his family gallery (Fig. 79). Loo

marveled at Rockefeller’s collection and the installation, “…it was certainly breathless to

see the wonders of your collection, not only the exceptional quality and rarity of your

collection but also the installation.” 440

Loo turned Rockefeller’s family gallery into his showroom by constantly having

Chinese antiquities delivered to his home, and by bringing guests to visit his family

437
See C. T. Loo and Company 1940, Cat, no. 27, pl. XX,
438
Extract from C. T. Loo’s letter to Francis Henry Taylor, February 7, 1951, folder Loo,
C.T. L. 871, MetA.
439 Dealers capitalized on the media sensations that the celebrity’s art acquisitions
created. Art News, for example, in the front page announced JDR Jr.’s recent acquisition
of two of the most important sculptures from the famous Gustave Dreyfus collection for

over $700,000 from Duveen Brothers. (“Two of Dreyfus Treasures go to J.D.
Rockefeller, Jr.,” Art News, February 20, 1932) After the release of the information in the
press, Duveen wrote to JDR Jr., “The New York Times, Herald Tribune, and numerous
magazines phoned us for verification of the Art News’ statement…”(Joseph Duveen to
JDR Jr, March 2, 1932, folder 1325, Duveen Brothers-Dreyfus Collection, 1930-1951,
box 133, OMR-RAC).
440 C. T. Loo to JDR Jr. June 14, 1945, folder 106, C. T. Loo 1945-1951, box 11, OMR-
RAC.