Chinese oil on canvas portrait, early 19th century, possibly Lamqua

Posted: November 5th, 2023 | No Comments »

This recently came up for auction and has in interesting provenance.

A Chinese oil on canvas portrait, early 19th century, possibly Lamqua. The bearded Government Official wearing a hat and beaded necklace, the blue robe with rank badge.

The seller inherited items from her great grandfather Captain John Dewar (ship master). He was born in Shanghai in 1866 and died in 1950. His wife Susan Smith Oudney (1875-1967) whose father was William Oudney a master mariner owned two clipper ships including The Coach Inn. John and Susan married in Shanghai in 1896.

For those interested in such vulgar things – it went for a (I reckon quite reasonable given provenance) £2,500 at auction.

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