Page 117 - Bonhams NYC Chinese works of Art March 2019

Each of these dedicatory pieces was engraved with one of their As a resident in Macau, Joseph Coolidge made two appearances in
names and those of fourteen Chinese merchants. The bracelet the diary of Harriet Low, written before Ellen arrived, and then appears
was crisply engraved: “HONG MERCHANTS / Howqua Mowqua frequently in the letters of Robert Bennet Forbes, who became the
Pounkeyqua / Kingqua Linchong Gouqua/ Mingqua Louqua head of Russell & Co. After Joseph left China in 1844, he and his
5
Pounhoyqua /Lamqua Thonching Quinshing/ Lounching & Cumvor/ family lived in Switzerland, spending some years in Europe before
in token of good wishse [sic] / to / Mrs Coolidge.” This has been returning to Boston. Ellen died in April 1876 and was buried at Mount
described the “most impressive list of all the major hong merchants of Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Joseph died in 1879
the 1830s.” and is buried next to her.
3

Ellen Wayles Randolph was the granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson The silver covered trophy cup was made for Joseph Coolidge by
(1743-1826), principal author of the Declaration of Independence the Chinese silversmith Cutshing (marked, CUT and pseudo London
and third President of the United States (1801 to 1809). She was the hallmarks). Cutshing worked at No. 8 New China Street, Canton, from
favorite granddaughter of Jefferson, and with lived her mother and about 1850 to about 1870, and possibly from as early as around 1835
siblings from the ages of 13 to 28 at Monticello, Virginia, the primary when the mark “CU” conjoined was used. An original box with a silver
plantation of Jefferson, designed and built by him beginning in 1779. filigree card case bears the label “CUTSHING Gold and Silversmith,
New Street No. 8.” Although the bracelet is not marked it may
6
After traveling in Europe, Joseph Coolidge returned to the United have been made by Cutshing who advertized as a goldsmith. The
States in 1824 and attended the reunion of Thomas Jefferson and the engravings of names on the bracelet and cup are by the same hand.
Marquis de Lafayette at Monticello. While there, he met Ellen whom he Gold jewelry seems generally not to have been marked, but unmarked
married the following year in the parlor at Monticello. gold jewelry by Wonshing, Haoching and Leeching are known through
labeled boxes.
Ellen moved with him to Boston and remained there with her six
children while Joseph traveled to China on business. In 1838 she
went to London and during her stay kept at journal which has been
published as Thomas Jefferson’s Granddaughter in Queen Victoria’s
England: The Travel Diary of Ellen Wayles Coolidge, 1838-1839.
4
She joined her husband in China in 1839.

FINE CHINESE ART | 115