Page 80 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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End and Beginning

After a deal was completed, Loo often used his client’s acquisition announcement in

the press as his advertisement. After the acquisition of a Buddhist stele (WAM 1934.34),

the WAM informed Loo, “We are very anxious to send out notices to the art magazines

and the press as soon as possible.” 139 The announcement of the MFA’s purchase of the

stone lion (MFA 40.70) in the Art News gave Loo credit in the text underneath the

photographic image of the lion: “Acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, from C.

T. Loo & Co.” 140

Loo constantly promised his clients that he would use the fund from his sale to finance

new acquisitions, which would be sent to the clients on approval. In 1924 Loo wrote to

J.E. Lodge to thank him for sending the check for the purchase of a stone piece, “I was

just in need of funds to pay the collection of bronzes which I am rather proud of having

141
them and will take the pleasure of showing you when I come over.” Indeed, for Loo, a
finalized transaction means the extension of his art emporium, and a start for a new round

of buying, promotional, and selling activities.

139 P. Cott to M. Riepe, April 11, 1934, WAMA.
140
“Boston: A Stone Lion from Lung-men,” Art News, October 12, 1940, 14.
141
Loo was probably referring to the bronze collection included in the 1924 catalogue
(Tch’ou Tö-yi and Paul Pelliot 1924). C. T. Loo to J.E. Lodge, August 29, 1924, folder
and box unidentified, AAOA-MFA.