Page 108 - Christie's London China Trade Paintings Kelton Collection

*85
CHINESE SCHOOL, CIRCA 1843
Portrait of Commissioner Qiying, (1787-1858), Governor-General of Canton, bust length, in robes of ofice
oil on canvas
23Ω x 18in. (59.6 x 45.7cm.)
in a Cantonese hardwood carved and gilt frame
£12,000-16,000 US$15,000-20,000
€14,000-18,000

PROVENANCE:
The family of David Johnstone, partner in Jardine Matheson, 1835-36.
EXHIBITED:
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, The Dragon and the Eagle: American Traders in China, A Century of Trade from 1784 to 1900,
Dec. 2019-April 2019, 2.77.

The sitter, the Viceroy of Liangjiang (1842-1844), wears the rank badge of the crane, the highest of the ten ranks of the civil
Mandarins. Qiying or 'Keying' concluded many of the 'unequal treaties' on behalf of the Chinese Emperor, including the Treaty of
Nanking, which ended the First Opium War in 1842 and the Sino-American Treaty of Wangxia with Caleb Cushing in 1844. His failure
to conclude negotiations with Britain and France at the end of the Second Opium War in 1858 led to his arrest and suicide.

For the role of his own portrait in his diplomacy with the West in the mid-19th century see Yeewan Koon, 'The Face of Diplomacy in
Nineteenth Century China: Qiying's Portrait Gifts' in Narratives of Free Trade: The Commercial Cultures of Early US-China Relations,
Hong Kong, 2012, pp.131-48: 'If presents are sent one should frmly refuse them. If they are ambiguously accepted, the laws of the
Heavenly Dynasty are very strict. ... The said envoys respected the instructions and obeyed. But when we met, small gifts were given,
such as foreign wines or perfumes, their value being slight, and as the intent was sincere it was improper to reject them. Your slave
gave only personal accessories such as snuf bottles and pouches in return – to give the idea of returning more than was received.
Furthermore, the four countries: Italy, England, the United States, and France asked for my portrait. These were made and presented
to all. (Excerpt from memorial dated November 23 1844 to Emperor Daoguang).'

106 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.