Plate 19: Six Different Borders (plate 1 of 2), from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"

Nineteenth plate 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 three designs for borders (out of six, the other half presented in the following plate) with orientalist designs. The first border, on the upper left, consists of a cartouche with a pattern of stylized triangles, enclosed by stylized acanthus leaves, and surrounded by larger stylized leaves and flowers. On the upper part of the scrolls are two Chinese men, one of them seated and thinking, and the other pulling two of the leaf scrolls with his hands.

The second border, on the upper right part of the sheet, consists of a chair upon a rock, on which seats a Chinese couple, kissing. Above them is a tree with dropping leaves, and to the left, on a platform made up of scrolling motifs, are two Chinese men looking at the couple: one is seated and simply looking, while the other, standing on a sort of balcony, points at them.

The third border, on the lower part of the sheet, consists if a Chinese building on the center, surrounded by water, and a sailing ship on the left. On the right, four Chinese men stand on a balcony enclosed by rails with geometric designs. The entire scene is encolsed by a strip of scrolling motifs.