Beginning in the late 18th century, centred on the treaty port of Canton (Guangzhou), there existed a thriving trade in ethnographical watercolours executed by local Chinese artists and sold to western merchants and travellers. These works typically depict Chinese traditional customs, occupations, manufacture and trades, boats, plants and animals, and they blend Chinese and European painting techniques, resulting in a unique mix of artistic styles.
These gouache paintings are particularly high quality examples; they are painted on very delicate laid paper, which was customary for paintings dating from the early period (late 18th and early 19th century), when works were particularly fine and specifically produced using the highest standards for wealthy Europeans. Later in the 19th century the paper was usually thicker, catering for a wider mass-market.
