Page 99 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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Loo was aware that magnate collectors like C. L. Freer, J.D. Rockefeller, and G.L.

Winthrop not only had substantial funds at their disposal, but also wielded enormous

power as authorities and tastemakers in the United States. When Loo first arrived in

America in the1910s, Freer’s extensive knowledge about the market and museum

collections, and his extended social network made him a perfect contact for Loo. Freer

was not only Loo’s client but also his advisor. The 1916 Descriptive Catalogue of

Ancient and Genuine Chinese Paintings acknowledged Freer’s great influence on

collectors and students, “His wonderful insight has been an inspiration to many lovers of

pictorial art in China as well as in the western world and his early recognition of the

quality of ancient masterpieces has influenced collectors and students universally.”

(Kwen 1916, An Appreciation) Loo’s reliance on Freer was expressed in his letter to

Freer, “…your word is publicly known to be pure as gold and I hope you do believe I

know it.” “…our future success which is certainly depending on you …” 202 It is through

Freer that Loo was connected to collectors such as J.P. Morgan and the Meyers. Loo

thanked Freer for his assistance with the sale of a bronze to Morgan. He wrote to Freer, “

I am glad to report to you that Mr. Morgan has finally bought the Bronze for which I feel

very indebted to you as for many others, your kindness in making this transaction

possible for were it not for your kind praises of it, I feel certain that Mr. Morgan would

have never become interested in it.” 203 In the 1916 transaction of a bronze object with

Eugene Meyer, for whom Freer served as consultant, Loo asked Freer for advice

concerning the price that Meyer offered. In response, Freer suggested that Loo accept Mr.

202 C. T. Loo to C.L. Freer, October 25, 1916, CLFP-FGA.
203 C. T. Loo to C. L. Freer, June 10, 1916, CLFP-FGA.