A pair of gilt-lacquered wood lotus-form emblem stands, Qing dynasty | 清 木漆金蓮花座一對

Collection of Frederick W. Hinke (1900-1960), and thence by descent. 

Frederick William Hinke (1900-1960) was born in Auburn, New York. His father, Dr. William John Hinke, was a well-known scholar amongst the upper echelons of Washington. The family was also good friends with the Dulles family, including Allen Welsh Dulles (1893-1969), former U.S. diplomat, and John Foster Dulles (1888-1959), former U.S. secretary of states under President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969). Growing up in this environment, Hinke became actively involved in politics and served as U.S. Vice Consul during 1926-1929, and U.S. Consul in 1932 in Guangdong province, China. He later moved to Tianjin in 1938.