Plate 98: Two pleasure boats, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 98 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 consists of two designs for pleasire boats. The first boat has the shape of a dragon (?), with the head of the animal on the front, and a tail on the back, and two small flags on them. A canopy stands on columns on the center, with pointed ceiling with scrolling tips, from which hang two bells, and flanked above by a long, scrolling flag. Under it are two people. Four rowers are seated at the bow, in front of the canopy. Two people sit right behind the canopy, and a fifth rower sits at the back of the boat, under another, simple and smaller, canopy.
The second boat consists of a split point on the bow and a single point on the back, where a rower sits. A simple canopy is placed on the middle of the boat, and in front of it are two seated rowers.
