Plate 97: Dragon boat, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"
Etched and published by Matthias Darly British
Artist and publisher George Edwards British
Not on view
Plate 97 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 a design for a dragon boat, with a dragon head with open mouth and long tongue on the front, scales all throughout the body, imitating the body of a dragon, and a tail with five spikes making up the back of the boat. In the center is an architectural structure with two levels and ceilings with scrolling tips, flanked by two flags. In front of it is the sail of the boat, flanked above by a wind vane and a third flag. A fourth flag is placed above the dragon's head. Three Chinese sailors are on the stern of the boat, two of them directing the sail. Six more sailors are in the bow, rowing the boat.
