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CHINESE SCHOOL (19th Century ) Western Traders in the Anchorage at Whampoa (c. 1840 to c. 1860 China)

pen, black ink, watercolour and bodycolour

19.70cm high 27.30cm wide (7.76 inches high  10.75 inches wide)

Excellent

Twenty five miles up the Pearl River from the Bocca Tigris Forts lies the anchorage of Whampoa (Huangpu). Here, twelve miles short of Canton itself, the western traders would discharge their cargoes onto small ‘chop boats’. In order to establish the dues to be paid the Chinese customs would measure the vessels meticulously.
Sandbars, rocks and shallows were all too common in this area and for this reason coupled with the wish to keep all fortified vessels away from Canton, the Chinese clamped down on any vessels venturing closer to the City.