Rooster

Tan Sri Loke Wan Tho (1915–1964) was a Malaysian-Singaporean business magnate, ornithologist, and photographer. He founded Cathay Organization in Singapore and Malaysia and Motion Picture and General Investments Limited (MP&GI) in Hong Kong. On 20 June 1964, Loke and his wife were killed in a plane crash in Taiwan. Loke was passionate about promoting education for the Chinese population and donated generously to Singapore Nanyang University. Xu Beihong once painted a portrait for Loke’s first wife, Ms Li Huiwang (Christina Lee). The painting is kept at the Xu Beihong Memorial Museum and is considered one of Xu’s representative oil paintings. The present lot was a gift from Xu Beihong to Loke and his wife; their family has cherished it to this day.