An album of 12 paintings on pith paper

Album bound in patterned silk, 335 x 250 mm, some light wear, studio stamp of Youeequa Painter Old Street No. 34 to preliminary blank, containing 12 original gouache paintings on pith paper, each lined with a silk border, a few chips and creases, but the colour vibrant containing a series of scenes including court officials, punishment and torture, and junks on the water. Housed in a fine custom morocco bound box by Aquarius lettered and ruled in gilt.

The celebrated Chinese painter Youqua was active from the 1840s in Canton (34 Old Street) before later moving to Hong Kong where he opened a second studio at number 107 Queen’s Road. Export paintings from his studios are considered some of the finest from the period.