A collection of 12 finely executed Chinese original drawings on rice paper around 1850.
Eur 5,800 / USD 6,000
The price shown on each item does not include V.A.T (Value Added Tax). As a result of the recent EU legislation we are required to charge our EU customers the percentage of V.A.T. charged by the customer’s country of residence, unless they possess a V.A.T. registration number. Postage Additional.
All drawings are framed and glazed. The drawings (200 x 320mm) are superbly executed and exceptionally colourful and show the various stages of picking, processing, packing and trading of tea as well as the Chinese tea ceremony. These drawings are executed in watercolours and gouache on rice paper. Due to the fragility of the paper one drawing has a tear in the lower margin.
These Chinese export watercolours were made for the western market and produced in the port cities of China of which Canton was the most important one
These Chinese export watercolours were made for the western market and produced in the port cities of China of which Canton was the most important one. These drawings were exported to Britain, America and other countries and made 'a pervasive part of the visual world of the Victorians and their contemporaries and had considerable influence on the western image of China' (C. Clunes, Chinese Export Watercolours). A very well preserved and unique collection.