Plate 30: Trade, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Plate number 30 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 two Chinese men trading flowers and produce. On the left, a man stands, wearing a robe with a floral pattern, a scallop-edged headdress, slippers, long fingernails, and mustache, stands behind a table with a trunk (?) with marble panels, on which stand a vase and a bowl with flowers, leaves, and produce. On the right, another man, wearing a jacket and trousers, both with floral motifs, and slippers, points towards the sky with his left hand, while looking at the products on the table. Two birds fly above the flowers, between the heads of the two men.
This plate represents two Chinese men trading flowers and produce. On the left, a man stands, wearing a robe with a floral pattern, a scallop-edged headdress, slippers, long fingernails, and mustache, stands behind a table with a trunk (?) with marble panels, on which stand a vase and a bowl with flowers, leaves, and produce. On the right, another man, wearing a jacket and trousers, both with floral motifs, and slippers, points towards the sky with his left hand, while looking at the products on the table. Two birds fly above the flowers, between the heads of the two men.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate 30: Trade, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
- Series/Portfolio: A New Book of Chinese Designs
- Artist and publisher: Etched and published by Matthias Darly (British, ca. 1720–1780 London)
- Artist and publisher: George Edwards (British, Stratford 1694–1773 Plaistow)
- Published in: London
- Date: 1754
- Medium: Etching and engraving
- Dimensions: Plate: 7 1/2 × 10 1/16 in. (19.1 × 25.6 cm)
Sheet: 9 1/8 × 11 1/2 in. (23.2 × 29.2 cm)
Book: 12 in. × 9 13/16 in. × 1 3/16 in. (30.5 × 25 × 3 cm) - Classifications: Books, Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1931
- Object Number: 31.88(32)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.