Page 202 - Chinese SIlver By Adrien Von Ferscht

This is a view of the wealthy Guangzhou Chinese merchant Chinam’s residence and offices in Hong Kong,
drawn by Edward Ashworth in 1844 when he was living in Hong Kong and working as an architect. According to
Karl Gützlaff, the missionary, Chinam, whose real name was Chan Akuen, was already a successful capitalist by
the time he moved to the new colony to set up the company Tun Wo. The new ‘hong’ was built in the Chinese
style on what was soon to become Queens Road. A watercolour rendition of the interior by Ashworth [below].

One of Chinam’s partners, Chan Chun-poo, was appointed administrator after Chinam’s death but was
imprisoned in 1854 for irregularities in handling the estate. The housewas sold in 1854 to Ow Yeung-sun. but the
trading firm remained until the late 19th century.