A Thangka depicting a Gelugpa Lama, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Pigment on cotton, 37,8 x 28,9 cm.
Provenance
Acquired by Northung from the Danish Telegraph Manager and Art collector Sophus Marius Black (2/5 1882-22/12 1960). Sophus was employed by the Great Northern Telegraph Company, was stationed in China 1902 - 31. After service in Shanghai, Chefoo and Tientsin, he came to Beijing in 1907, and from 1919 he served as manager of the company's station there and periodically in Tientsin, Chefoo and Hong Kong.
B. was soon preoccupied with Chinese culture and art. He understood and respected the Chinese mentality, learned the language, lived by the country's customs and soon began to build a vast Collection.
Over the years, his collection became versatile and rich, including Buddhist figures, Paintings and Works of Art. In 1930 the family moved home, and managed to bring the collections.
The Collection of Poul Nortung (1905-1973).
The Manufacturer Poul Nortungs passion for Chinese and Japanese Works of Art started at an early age, influenced by his father, master bookbinder Frederik Nortung, who collected Oriental Ceramics, Literature and Works of Art. He himself started to expand the family collection during the years 1935-1950. Poul Nortung owned a Danish metal company known as LUXOR. The antiques in his collection were often acquired in London, Paris and Germany, or through his friend, the antique dealer Canova Skånstrom.