Plate 32: Trade, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 32 of 'A New Book of Chinese Designs', consisting of a title page, index, and 120 plates, etched and published in 1754 by the British caricaturist, printseller and ornamental engraver Matthew Darly, in collaboration with George Edwards. The book consists of a variety of ornamental and costume designs of Chinese inspiration, some of them copies of the original works (including the title).
This plate represents a group of Chinese merchants engaging in different tasks around a table with marble panels and geometric designs on the legs. On top of the table stand two hangers with scarves, tassels, and ribbons. Seated behind the table, on a wooden chair, is a woman, with long-sleeved robe and her hair tied with a headscarf, opening a box. At the other side of the hangers is a second woman, standing, holding a ribbon bow in her right hand. Further to the right, a third woman reclines to reach a bucket with fruits (?), placed on top of a smaller table. On the left, two boys, dressed with long wobes with dots and with quoues on their heads, stand looking at each other.
