Paintings--[School of Tingqua, possibly Guan Lianchang]

Oblong folio (285 x 410mm.), 19 mounted gouaches, some heightened with gold, silver and gum arabic, on strong (western?) paper, various sizes (from 200 x 230mm. to 230 x 295mm., or the reverse), tissue guards, late nineteenth-century French calf, silk endpapers, occasional very slight spotting (overall in very good condition), central oval panel crudely removed from upper cover

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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."

Guan Lianchang was one of the finest watercolourists working in Canton between 1840 and 1870. His surviving work is mostly unsigned (as is the case here), and very few paintings can be attributed to him with absolute certainty, however the quality of these paintings would suggest if not Lianchang, then another artist of his skill. The subjects are varied, and include the Emperor and Empress, Chinese soldiers, acrobats, junks, flowers, insects, birds, fruits, as well as a fine view of Macao (dated on the mount 1861).