Page 8 - Bonhams Chiense Paintings New York July 21 2020

PROPERTY FROM THE KELTON COLLECTION OF CHINA
TRADE PAINTINGS AND WORKS OF ART
Some collectors are known to have great passions for their specialty, The selections offered here include China trade paintings of ports,
but few could match those of Richard Kelton (1929-2019). His including Foochow (Fuzhou), Canton (Guangzhou), Hangzhou, Hong
varied interests were focused on the Pacific, and within those he Kong, Shanghai, and Macau. Chinese artists represented include
was omnivorous. He collected Polynesian, Australian Aboriginal, Tonqua, Lamqua, and Sunqua, and later artists such as Woo Cheong
Hawaiian, and Asian and Western art concerned with the historic trade and Yeu Qua, and includes a masterpiece portrait of Sir Jamesetjee
between Asia, Europe and the Americas. His interests were visual and Jeejebhyo by Lamqua.
intellectual, so he collected two and three-dimensional works of art,
but also nautical instruments, maps and books: anything that would In addition, China trade silver, porcelain, textiles, and furniture offered
shed light on what engaged and inspired him. in the sale further contextualize the artistic and historic interactions
between Chinese artists and Western clients that was so important to
He established the non-profit Richard Kelton Foundation in 1983 to Richard Kelton’s passion for collecting and sharing.
share his love of science and art, and generously loaned his collections
to multiple museum exhibitions. One of the first, drawn from his
collection, was Trade and Treasure and the Race for Riches – The
China Trade at the Pacific Asia Museum (1987), and the last he lent to
was The Dragon and the Eagle: American Traders in China; Century of
Trade from 1784 to 1900, Hong Kong Maritime Museum (December
14, 2018 to April 14, 2019). The loans to both were drawn from his
Asian export art collection, a portion of which is offered by Bonhams.

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