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Lot Essay
Harold Medill Sarkisian (1909-1993) was a United States lieutenant who is known for his collection of Islamic, Indian, Japanese and Chinese art. As an expert Russian, Chinese and Japanese linguist, he and his wife traveled to China in 1940, where he worked as an advisor to the Chinese government to develop the weaving and textiles industry. From his frequent travels in Asia, he acquired a vast collection of artworks, many of which were acquired by the Denver Art Museum to enable the opening of the Oriental Museum in 1956. Through his contributions, Sarkisian was appointed as an honorary curator of Asian art.