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PROPERTY FROM THE INDIA HOUSE CLUB COLLECTION, NEW YORK ‘ India House is bound by every tradition with the adventurers of all ages who went down to the sea in ships. ’ Christie’s is honored to sell the art collection of India House, a private club that has been a fixture of downtown Manhattan since the early twentieth century. The Club’s Renaissance style building was constructed by builder Richard Carman after the fire of 1835 and, previously housing Hanover Bank, Maitland and Company, the New York Cotton Exchange and W.R. Grace and Company, the edifice has remained essentially unchanged since its construction. Founded in 1914 by James A. Farrell and Willard Straight, India House was conceived as a meeting place for the interests for foreign trade and its name paid homage to the Dutch West India Company, the first colonizers of Manhattan. Farrell and Straight envisioned that “New York should have a place, maritime in spirt, purpose and atmosphere, where those interested in rebuilding a merchant marine worthy of American could meet.” In this vein, many leaders in foreign trade and worldwide commerce have since gathered at India House, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Hopkins, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., James Byrnes, W. Averell Harriman, George C. Marshall, Henry Cabot Lodge and Cyrus Vance. Their meetings were held alongside India House’s world-class collection of maritime art and objects. First begun by Dorothy Whitney and Willard Straight, the art collection grew to encompass marine pictures, model ships, maritime relics and Chinese works of art, which gave the club its stately atmosphere and reminded members and guests of its purpose. For more information, see A Descriptive Catalogue of the Marine Collection to be Found at India House (New York, 1935). The following group of works of art and paintings were all acquired by India House co-founder Willard Straight. Willard Straight was a significant figure in the establishment of American business interests in China at the beginning of the 20th century. After graduating from Cornell in 1901, Straight began his career in East Asia when he accepted a position in Nanjing with the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service. In 1906, at age 26, Straight was appointed consul general at Mukden in Manchuria, China. When that appointment ended, he spent a number of years in Beijing and the United States working for various business interests, finally returning to the United States in 1912. It was during Straight’s time in China that he acquired this group of works of art and paintings.

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SEATED TARA

CHINA, 15TH CENTURY

Name: A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SEATED TARA
Brand: CHINA, 15TH CENTURY
Price: 7500.00 USD
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised USD 9,375

Estimate

USD 3,000 - USD 5,000

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A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF SEATED TARA

CHINA, 15TH CENTURY

Price Realised USD 9,375

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7 in. (17.8 cm.) high

This lot contains regulated species material. Shipping to destinations outside the USA requires an export permit which will delay your shipment. Please contact Post Sale Services on +1 212 636 2650 prior to bidding to check if Christie’s can ship to your proposed destination. Alternatively, you can collect in person and arrange for your own export permit and shipping.

Willard D. Straight (1880-1918) Collection, acquired before 1914.

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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