The Hongs of Canton by anonymous Chinese artist, around 1800.
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Oil on canvas. Depicting a view of the hongs, or “Factories,” at Canton that commemorates the early years of direct trade between the United States and China (center flag). It also records six other flags representing other contries actively in trade with China (Great Britain, France, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain). These countries were all actively trading at Canton, the only Chinese port at which Western trade was permitted. Mesurement with frame 54x67 cm.
Relined, renovated, retouches, crazings.
Provenance
Property of a Swedish private collection.
Exhibitions
These painting were produced as export wares in the Qing dynasty through the 18th and 19th centuries, and sought after by western collectors ever since, China Trade paintings are now of growing interest to Chinese clients as well.
It is a taste being driven by Chinese institutions, led by the Hong Kong Museum of Art on Kowloon and the Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou on the mainland. The Hong Kong Museum of Art, which keeps the core of the celebrated Chater Collection