Page 97 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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Loan

Loo often had objects sent to collectors on approval. From the time of delivery to the

time when the customer made the final purchase the object could be viewed as a loan.

Loo also borrowed objects from collectors for his exhibitions. The 1950 Exhibition of

Ancient Chinese jade that Loo launched at the Norton Gallery of West Palm Beach

included loans from collectors such as Mr. and Mrs. William Lee McKim, Mr. Alfred F.

Pillsbury, Mrs. Irving Snyder, and Mrs. Edward Sonneschein (Loo 1950, Preface). The

loan arrangement between Loo and the collectors was beneficial to both sides. The loans

enriched Loo’s exhibitions, and the public display increased the prestige of the loans and

their owners.

Information Exchange

Prominent dealers were able to offer education, consultation, authentication, appraisal

198
and other services to collectors. Loo played an important role in educating American

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, M. Knoedler & Company, Inc. received a 10%
commission from JDR Jr. It has been mentioned that Knoedler’s regular commission was
20% on the selling price (Unidentified person to JDR, June 5, 1946, folder 99, Art
Objects 1939-1961, box 11, OMR-RAC). French & Company’s commission rate was
15% in 1944. (Memo by Robert. W. Gumbel, October 26, 1944, folder 1428, French &
Co. 1944-1953, box 142,OMR-RAC)
198 Dealers’ experience in installation, shipping, restoration allowed them to offer
collectors miscellaneous service. Duveen Brothers Inc, for example, performed the
following services for JDR Jr., “The hanging of the tapestries in his house; later
rehanging them and adjusting them permanently. Making covers for some of the tapestry
chairs and for some of the rugs in the tapestry room. Sewing pieces of canvas on the
carpet in Mr. Rockefeller’s office under the two Ispahan rugs. Going to Pocantico to pack
certain porcelains and bringing the same to Mr. Rockefeller’s house in New York and
unpack them.” (A. Adams to Joseph Duveen, January 8, 1923, folder 1330, Duveen
Brothers 1914-1952, box 133, OMR-RAC) Duveen Brothers Inc. also recommended a
ceramic repairer to JDR Jr. (Janet M. Warfield to (?Sowers& Herrick), October 4, 1944,
box 11, folder 99, OMR-RAC) JDR Jr. consulted Duveen brothers to authenticate the