Page 162 - 2019 September 11th Sotheby's Important Chinese Art

EARLY CHINESE CERAMICS

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

芝加哥藝術博物館藏高古陶瓷

THE PALMER FAMILY GIFT LOTS 703-709

Potter (1826-1902) and Bertha Honoré (1849-1918) best known for their collection of 19th century
Palmer formed a formidable team. He had already European paintings, the Palmers collected in other
established and sold a successful dry goods store areas including Chinese art. However, it was not until
(Potter Palmer & Co., which became Marshall Field after Potter Palmer’s death in 1902 and Bertha was in
& Co.) and was cleverly investing in Chicago real control of the family fortune, that she turned her in-
estate before meeting and marrying Bertha Honoré sightful mind and critical eye towards the acquisition
in 1870. The age discrepancy between the two fueled of Chinese ceramics, porcelains and jades. According
some spiteful rumors but theirs was a true partner- to one of her biographers, ‘Her Chinese porcelains
ship. The socially prominent couple were philan- were of the rarest sort and she was among the first
thropically minded and actively supported numerous Americans to collect Tang figurines.’
charities. In 1890 Bertha won the coveted position of Such was her collecting ardor that at the time of her
President of the Board of Lady Managers for the 1893 death in 1918 there were 533 Chinese ceramics and
World’s Columbian Exposition. Chicago had com- jades in storage in Paris that needed to be appraised
peted vigorously to host the event and Bertha lost no by her estate. These works of art had all been moved
time rallying support for the cause. She and Potter to safety by the Paris-based dealer Leon Wannieck
traveled to Europe where both were already well during the tumultuous years during World War I
known socially and to fine art dealers, to encourage when he fled from Paris to the Spanish border.
plans of international pavilions and to add to their
art collection. They were among the very early sup- The estate, the value of which had doubled since
porters of Impressionism and were acquainted with her husband’s death under her care, was left to her
many of the leading artists of the period, particularly two sons, Honoré (1874-1964) and Potter Palmer, Jr.
Mary Cassatt of whom Bertha was particularly fond. (1875-1943). Both sons inherited their mother’s love
The Palmer Collection, which was not presented to of the arts and, in addition to caring for the collec-
the museum until after Mrs. Palmer’s death in 1918, tion which they inherited, each developed their own
formed the foundation of the stellar selection of 19th collections as well. The brothers were also active
century European painting now at the Art Insti- supporters of the Art Institute of Chicago. Honoré
tute of Chicago. Having acquired a large number of served as a Trustee for many years. Potter, Jr. served
paintings on their trips in 1891-2, the Palmers added as President of the Art Institute of Chicago from
a ninety-foot long ballroom/picture gallery to their 1925 to 1943. He was also an avid collector of Chinese
already opulent new lakefront home, known as the works of art who was evidently inspired at a young
‘Castle’, to better display some of their collection to age while visiting galleries and museums in Paris
the visiting dignitaries that the couple would be host- with his mother and more notably, while attending
ing over the course of the fair. the seminal Chinese Exhibition at the Royal Academy
in London in 1936 to which the Palmer family had
The success of the 1893 Exposition, which had some lent four pieces. He preferred early wares and, ‘sculp-
twenty-seven million visitors, ensured international tural potteries of the T’ang dynasty were particular
celebrity status for Bertha Palmer and she was not favorites’.
shy about using it to promote causes that were
important to her, one of the most important being Honoré had two children, Potter D’Orsay and Hon-
Women’s Rights. When not engaged in social and oré III and Potter, Jr. had four children; Potter III,
business obligations in Chicago, the Palmers enjoyed Bertha (Mrs. Oakleigh L. Thorne), Gordon, and Pau-
frequent trips to New York and Newport. They also line (Mrs. Arthur M. Wood) who in turn, along with
traveled abroad, including lengthy stays at their resi- their children, have added to the Potter family art
dences in London and Paris where they frequented legacy with numerous generously donated works of
the museums, galleries and auction rooms. Although art, both acquired and inherited, to the Art Institute
of Chicago.

160 SOTHEBY’S IMPORTANT CHINESE ART