Page 70 - Christies Fine Chinese Works of Art March 2016 New York

CHINESE FURNITURE AND
WORKS OF ART FROM THE
LAI FAMILY COLLECTION

(LOTS 1354-1370)

DEDICATED TO LAI LOY (1926–2012)

My father-in-law was a quiet, respectful man schooled in Lai Loy seated in his gallery, c. 1989.
the traditions of China. The son and grandson of antique 黎來於其藝廊，1989年前後。
dealers from Guangzhou, his family came to Hong Kong
to make their own way following the destruction and 紀念黎來先生 (1926–2012)
chaos of World War II. Lai Loy’s well-known shop near the
Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road was a revolving door 先翁黎來公深得中國傳統文化薰陶，為人敦默寡言，溫良恭
of dealers, museum curators, foreign collectors, tourists, 敬。黎公出身古玩世家，父祖兩代於廣州經營有年，及後二戰
and residents of Hong Kong—native and expat alike. From 爆發，舉家避遷香港。黎公設於荷李活道文武廟附近之古玩店
advising T.Y. Chao and his wife, Ya Tsung, to collaborating 名聞遐邇，古董商、博物館館長、海外收藏家絡繹不絕，居港
with T.T. Tsui, he felt privileged to facilitate the visions of 中外人士皆以之為尋寶勝地。無論協助趙從衍先生及夫人倪亞
Hong Kong’s greatest collectors. 震女士覓寶尋珍，或與徐展堂博士劈劃庋藏，黎公自始以有幸
為香港收藏巨擘之助而深感榮幸。
Although his area of expertise was Chinese porcelain,
his interests were wide and varied. In his eyes, ancient
pottery, jade, early hardwood furniture, items for the
scholar’s table, and other works of art were all treasures.
He understood the processes involved in crafting and
saving these precious objects, and was always eager
to pass on that knowledge. He took great delight in
educating new collectors in the nuances of all forms
of Chinese art. I had the pleasure of being one of those
fortunate students.

When he realized that my own curiosity for Chinese 黎公雖以熟諳中國瓷器見著，惟其博學多聞，所好不一而足，
furniture would not cease or fade, he decided that sharing 高古陶瓷、玉器、早期硬木家具、文房珍玩等各式工藝皆視為
his knowledge and love of Chinese art would become 珍寶。黎公對種種珍品之製作工藝、維護技巧知之甚詳，亦從
a new project. He took me everywhere, and taught me 不吝公諸同好，提攜收藏後進尤為其所熱衷，所知無不傾囊相
everything I know about Chinese furniture. Lai Loy’s 授。我有幸忝蒙教益，樂何如哉。
understanding and appreciation of Chinese art breathed
new life into the ancient objects he touched. In passing 先翁得知我酷好中國家具，探奇之心經年不減，遂一心以其對
his knowledge on to his students, Lai Loy ensured that 中國藝術之所知所喜慷慨相授。黎公常攜我四處遊歷，耳提面
those who came after him could appreciate and love 命，如今我對中國家具略有識見，實則全拜黎公所賜。黎公好
these works of art as much as he did. 古慕雅，遐覽淵博，古物在其手中有如復活；而其傳道授業，
所願惟晚輩後學篤愛藝術珍品與己同，傳統不墜，永續流芳。

We stand in his shadow. 而今黎公遠去，高山仰止，吾人雖不能至，心嚮往之。

Sandee Lai 黎仙蒂
2015 2015 年

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