Purchases from China

In 1905, Count Karl von Luxburg (1872-1956) was transferred to Beijing, where he served as the Second Envoy for the German Empire. Shortly after his arrival, he began acquiring his first East Asian works of art in China. In his autobiography, "Nachdenkliche Erinnerung" (Reflective Memory), he remarked: "From the first days of my stay in Beijing, I developed a tremendous love for the products of the ancient arts and crafts, especially porcelain, bronzes, enamels, lacquer, silk fabrics, and embroidery. The wealth of shapes, colours, and meanings is overwhelming [...]."

Being part of the nobility was not only a social status inherited by birth but also reflected in one's attitude and actions. This encompassed, among other things, one’s approach to art and culture. Items were collected that showcased one’s origins and lineage and had financial, prestigious, or emotional significance. The Count von Luxburg family also collected art objects, which they used to adorn their esteemed castle, among other purposes.

Count Karl acquired some objects during his travels through China, but most were purchased in Beijing. According to his accounts, some dealers would visit the legations directly at lunchtime to offer their wares. In the afternoons, he would ride into the city on horseback to visit the antiquarians on Hatamen Street (chin. Hada Dajie 哈德门大街) and Soochow Alley (chin. Suzhou Hutong 苏州胡同). These dealers continued to be reliable sources for new acquisitions when Count Karl returned to China in 1909.

The quality of the pieces he collected was important to Count Karl. He therefore sought the advice of a well-known art expert in Beijing, who made local purchases on behalf of an American private collector.

In Beijing, Count Karl decorated his house with the artworks he had acquired. When he was transferred to India in 1912, he had his collection carefully packed over the course of several weeks. Many of his acquisitions remained stored in India for several years. Amid the turmoil of the emerging First World War (1914-1918), he had to leave the country and relocated to Argentina. In the meantime, his collection was confiscated by the British. It was not until the 1920s that Count Karl was able to recover his belongings and have them transported to Aschach to furnish the family castle.