Pair of slide fittings in the form of monkeys

To 1952
David David-Weill (1871-1952), Paris and Neuilly-sur-Seine France, mode of acquisition unknown [1]

1952-1970
Flora Raphaël David-Weill (1878-1970), inherited upon death of her husband, David David-Weill [2]

1970-1972
Family of David and Flora Raphaël David-Weill inherited upon death of Flora Raphaël David-Weill [3]

1972
Sale, Sotheby & Co., "The D. David-Weill Collection, Catalogue of Early Chinese Bronzes, Inlaid Metalwork, Gilt Bronzes and Silver, Jades, Sculpture and Ceramics," February 29, 1972 (London), lot 110 [4]

1972-1997
Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997), Summit, NJ purchased through Mr. Payne at "D. David-Weill Collection Sale," on March 15, 1972 [5]

From 1997
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, bequeathed by Dr. Paul Singer [6]

Notes:

[1] David David-Weill's ownership is indicated by the objects' inclusion in the 1972 Sotheby & Co. Sales Catalogue (see note 4).

David David-Weill (1871-1952) was an American-born, French banker and chairman of Lazard Frères, his family's bank headquartered in Paris. From 1925 to 1939 he was president of the council of French National Museums and, until 1938, the vice president of the Friends of the Louvre. David-Weill was a life-long, prolific collector, acquiring a broad range of objects including 18th-century French art, ancient Chinese bronzes and jades, silvers, and European and Chinese cloisonné. He lent 12 objects from his collection to International Exhibition of Chinese Art at the Royal Academy of London (1935-36) and several objects to the exhibition Arts de la Chine Ancienne at Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris (1937). During his lifetime, he donated numerous art works to French Museums. In 1937 David-Weill sold pieces from his European collection to Wildenstein & Company. During World War 2, Nazis plundered his collection and seized over 2000 objects, most of which were restituted after the War. Parts of David-Weill's collections were hidden and escaped Nazi seizure. It is unclear if this object was stolen by the Nazis. If it was, the object was restituted to the family, as it was in their possession through 1972.

[2] David David-Weill died on July 7, 1952 in Neuilly, France. Flora Raphaël David-Weill inherited the object.

[3] Upon death of Flora Raphaël David-Weill, a Sotheby sale was organized. The Sotheby & Co sales catalogue (see note 4) does not specify who the sale is benefiting. Likely, because Flora Raphaël David-Weill died in 1970, the sale happened in response to her death and her heirs collected the profit.

[4] See Sotheby & Co., "The D. David-Weill Collection: Catalogue of Early Chinese Bronzes, Inlaid Metalwork, Gilt Bronzes and Silver, Jades, and Sculpture and Ceramics (London, February 29, 1972), lot 110.

[5] See letter from C.M. Payne to Dr. Paul Singer, 1 March 1972 and invoice from Sotheby & Co., London to Dr. Paul Singer, 15 March 1972, no. 111, page 2, copies in object file. C.M. Payne of the Sales Office at Sotheby & Co., London placed bids on behalf of Dr. Paul Singer at the February 1972 auction.

The collection of Chinese art and antiquities assembled by Paul Singer over time was purchased by him on behalf of Arthur M. Sackler, Jillian Sackler, The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities and later was transferred to the children of Arthur M. Sackler.

[6] Upon Paul Singer's death in January 1997, his collection was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery by order of the Executors of the Estate under a loan agreement signed on February 1997. Shortly thereafter, the Sackler Gallery was vested with full ownership and title to the collection in full agreement by the Sackler Foundations and Sackler family members. The formal accession of the Singer collection was completed in 2012.