Chinese School, 19th Century
The Hongs of Canton
body colour
17 x 22 in. (43.5 x 57 cm.)
In its original carved Chinese frame
In Canton, the European traders were restricted to the factories of their respective countries with their public rooms in front over looking the river. America, France, Britain and Denmark had their Hongs here which served as residences, trading head quarters and warehouses for western merchants.
A massive fire destroyed the Hongs in 1822.
China