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Pair of aquatints of China by W. Alexander, c.1805
This is a framed pair of original engravings hand-coloured at publication by William Alexander (1767-1816) from 'The Costume of China', published by W Miller, London 1805. Two other pairs of engravings from the same series are separately listed.
In 1792 William Alexander accompanied Lord Macartney’s embassy to China as a junior draughtsman. Though the embassy was a diplomatic failure the images of China that Alexander produced on the two-year journey were a new, reliable and exciting glimpse into Chinese life, art, landscape, architecture and customs. Like no artist before, Alexander shaped the West’s image of this far away country.
Alexander made over two thousand sketches of China during the journey some of which were reproduced as prints in his own publications, of which the most impressive is 'The Costume of China' containing a series of 48 aquatints etched by Alexander himself.
The first plate depicts a small Chinese temple, commonly called a Joss house, located near the road in front of the mandarin's residence a traveler rests nearby. On the hill, there is a military station and a pagoda. Alexander noted that such temples were very commonly seen on the transportation routes such as roads and canals and were erected to extend religious feelings among the Chinese people. They were built either at the public expense or constructed by charitable wealthy persons.
The second plate depicts a stone building in the form of a vessel located at the residence of the British Ambassador during his stay in Peking. The upper part of this whimsical building was used by the Embassy as a dining room. The hull was of hewn stone situated in a small pond that was filled with water by buckets from a neighboring well. The fragments of rocks artificially piled on each other with flowerpots containing dwarf trees convey an idea of Chinese tastes in ornamental gardening. Over the roof of the stone vessel, and above the wall enclosing this extensive mansion, the tops of a few pagodas, a triumphal arch, and other public buildings within the walls of Peking are visible. Alexander noted that this great mansion was built by a late custom collector, whose immense wealth was confiscated after frauds and extortion were detected.
Dimensions: Width 49 x Height 43.5 cm
Condition: The engravings are in good antique condition with some overall discolouration. The frames date from circa 1980s when they were retailed by an antique print shop on Museum Street, London, and are in good condition with some minor marks touched-up, but the original mounts have been discarded in favour of green coloured acid free mounts.
Postage & packing: £15 within the UK.
SellerTorr Antiques & Decorative Arts
View all stock from
Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts
Private dealer
By appointment only
Lamberhurst
Kent, England
Tel : 07931 370 372
Non UK callers : +44 7931 370 372
In 1792 William Alexander accompanied Lord Macartney’s embassy to China as a junior draughtsman. Though the embassy was a diplomatic failure the images of China that Alexander produced on the two-year journey were a new, reliable and exciting glimpse into Chinese life, art, landscape, architecture and customs. Like no artist before, Alexander shaped the West’s image of this far away country.
Alexander made over two thousand sketches of China during the journey some of which were reproduced as prints in his own publications, of which the most impressive is 'The Costume of China' containing a series of 48 aquatints etched by Alexander himself.
The first plate depicts a small Chinese temple, commonly called a Joss house, located near the road in front of the mandarin's residence a traveler rests nearby. On the hill, there is a military station and a pagoda. Alexander noted that such temples were very commonly seen on the transportation routes such as roads and canals and were erected to extend religious feelings among the Chinese people. They were built either at the public expense or constructed by charitable wealthy persons.
The second plate depicts a stone building in the form of a vessel located at the residence of the British Ambassador during his stay in Peking. The upper part of this whimsical building was used by the Embassy as a dining room. The hull was of hewn stone situated in a small pond that was filled with water by buckets from a neighboring well. The fragments of rocks artificially piled on each other with flowerpots containing dwarf trees convey an idea of Chinese tastes in ornamental gardening. Over the roof of the stone vessel, and above the wall enclosing this extensive mansion, the tops of a few pagodas, a triumphal arch, and other public buildings within the walls of Peking are visible. Alexander noted that this great mansion was built by a late custom collector, whose immense wealth was confiscated after frauds and extortion were detected.
Dimensions: Width 49 x Height 43.5 cm
Condition: The engravings are in good antique condition with some overall discolouration. The frames date from circa 1980s when they were retailed by an antique print shop on Museum Street, London, and are in good condition with some minor marks touched-up, but the original mounts have been discarded in favour of green coloured acid free mounts.
Postage & packing: £15 within the UK.
Price
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The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 28/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art
> Antique Engravings
Date 1805
Early 19th Century Antiques Material Paper
Origin English
Item code as1016a447
Status For Sale
£175.00 
$221.94
€210.33
$221.94
€210.33
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Conversion rates as of 28/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
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View all stock from
Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts
Private dealerBy appointment only
Lamberhurst
Kent, England
Tel : 07931 370 372
Non UK callers : +44 7931 370 372
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