by CANTON WATERFRONT WITH TRADING HONGS AND HARBOUR.
[Canton ca. 1832-41]. A large lithograph, hand coloured gouache, lower left corner states "Canton," very good, 38.5 x 25.2 cm., gilt framed & glazed to 63 x 50.5 cm.,very clean unsigned work. A UNIQUE AND RARE EARLY CANTON VIEW A truly lovely hand-coloured lithograph, in folio size, with large margins. A lovely piece with no flaws in the print whatsoever. * THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE SCENE: The foreground is the harbour, with several large Chinese junks & sampans moving about. Their long black braided queue and traditional Hakka hats visible. In the background are a large number of two-storied red tile-roofed foreign-style buildings are done in the European manner. These are foreign "factories" and each flies the flag of their respective nationality. This shows American flag in the center, on the right of that is the Union Jack of Great Britain, then the Dutch flag. To the left of the Americans are the Spanish. See reference below in Lee. The British & Dutch "factories" are both surrounded by a tall and very substantial wooden fence. Although undated, the Americans did establish their own trading "factory" in Canton ca. 1784 an approximate date can be derived from the fact that the French flag was installed around the mid-1780's then, in 1832 & 1841, when many of the foreign "factories" were destroyed by a huge conflagration. This view shows the new "factories" rebuilt after that fire, so we therefore date it ca. 1832-1841. With an exceptionally good view of the American garden. * A large number of people, perhaps foreign soldiers or sailors are on parade before the American compound. Several Chinese are visible walking along the beach-front with their traditional bamboo poles [yoke] suspended by two people who haul a heavy load. A gala and lively scene, with many small Chinese flags flying on the native vessels. Several of the Sampams in the foreground have Chinese people who are look- ing directly at the foreign artist who is engaged in drawing them & the view of the Hongs. Had the artist been a Chinese onlookers would have no interest in looking. Because it is a "rare" Westerner, the Chinese have noticed him and turned their heads in the direction of the artist to have a good good look at the strange "Hong Mao" ["red hairs" or foreign- er] or "Gui Lo" a "foreign devil." * The work is finely drawn in a steady hand even though it was clearly executed from aboard a floating vessel or Sampan in the busy Canton harbor. It was done with great skill and in fine lines, reproducing details of the gay and lively scene with an almost "photographic" or realistic quality, typical of the work by Western artists of the period. * A truly lovely and early hand-coloured tinted [gouache] lithographic work by a Westerner showing a very primitive Canton waterfront and the Hongs in a most charming manner. Graphics of this period and subject matter are always quite RARE ! * PRINTING TECHNIQUE AND CONDITION: The technique involved is somewhat of a mystery. While it looks as if this was a lithograph, there is no "plate mark" in the margins what so ever, possibly meaning that because the medium was so very stiff, such a mark did not occur. For the most part, lithographic prints had some "plate mark" surrounding the print impressed on the paper medium, giving evidence of the printing technique. However, when the medium is a stiff card, this can not be the case. What is curious about this folio sized item, is that it is printed on very a board, approximately 1 mm. thick, which is several times the thickness of standard lithographic print medium. While this technique was used by Currier and Ives at a later date, it is conceivable that the technique began earlier in the 1820-30's. The 6.5 cm. full and generous margins are typical of other lithographs of this period, The verso of this print has some evidence of mild foxing, which has as NOT bled through the very thick board to the front side, There is a small mend at the lower left corner area as well as a small "bend" in the lower right corner, which is now stable. It is noteworthy to say, that neither of these minor issues affect the print at all being located in the wide margins. The face of the print is remarkably clean, bright and flawless, with the gouache executed with substantial skill showing clouds at the top and the details of the work are superbly done ! A handsome work in deed ! * REFERENCES: James Orange: THE CHATER COLLECTION: Pictures Relating to China, Hong Kong, Macao 1655-1880. The standard and most reliable single period source on the subject, with superb illustrated examples. * L. Crossman: THE CHINA TRADE. A standard reference on the whole subject, including Canton and trade. * Jean Lee: PHILADELPHIANS AND THE CHINA TRADE 1784-1844, pp. 38-39; p.173,#175; p.194 #210. Lee is an excellent resource for identification of foreign flags flying along the Hongs of Canton in her book see again, pp. 38-39 and page 194 for her citations. * A MARVELOUS AND UNIQUE PIECE, A SUPERB ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION ! .
(Inventory #: 23016501)