Lot 1196 , Circle of Youqua (Chinese, fl.1840-1870) Houquas garden on Honan Island, 26 x 44in.

Circle of Youqua (Chinese, fl.1840-1870)
oil on canvas,
Houqua's garden on Honan Island,
26 x 44in.
Estimate £12,000-18,000

Possibly the richest man in the world Wu Bingjian (1769-1843), known to the West as Houqua, was for thirty years the most prosperous member of the Canton Cohong, the guild of Chinese merchants trading with the West. His fortune in the 1830's was estimated at over $30 million. Renowned for his generous disposition he established strong trading links with the Boston merchants and also invested in the American railroads.

Oil on canvas relined many years ago (say 30 years +), canvas still tight, paint very slightly flattened but overall good order, a fine but stable craquelure running through most of the work, possibly a hint of retouching in the green of the trees in the centre and would benefit from a light clean. In a later but ornate giltwood scroll frame which is in good order, no labels or inscriptions verso.
Comes for sale from a local deceased estate formerly the property of Malcolm Waddington.


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Sold for £14,000