George Chinnery 1774-1852

Full length, seated, wearing robes

Samuel Russell, and thence by family descent

The canvas has been lined. The work would appear to be in very good condition. There are no apparent tears or damages and the work is ready to hang. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a thick varnish which obscures a clear reading, but there would appear to be some old retouchings around the figure. Held in a later wood frame.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter was the celebrated tea merchant in Hong Kong, who at his death was said to be the richest man in the world.  Hou Qua was the agent for many of the Amercian trading companies and interestingly had a superior brand of tea named after him. One of the high points of the Canton social season was when he held one of his sumptuous banquets on the mudriver island of Honam. 

Hou Qua had a close relationship with Samuel Russell, for whom this painting was commissioned.  Samuel Russell founded Russell and Company which exported from China to England tea, silks, sandalwood, firecrackers, porcelain and ivory.  The fast clipper ships, with their distinctive blue and white diamond flag, held the record of ninety days from China to the east coast of America.  In 1847 one of them broke the record from China to England.  Samuel Russell lived in Canton between 1810 and 1830, and was a great philanthropist.  He married twice.  He married firstly, Mary Cotton Mather, who died whilst he was in China, and secondly Frances Osborne.  This painting has passed by descent from Samuel Russell.