China: 'A Tea Trading Junk', George Chinnery (1774-1852), c. 1840, at the time of the First Opium War (1839-1842)

On the sail of the junk shown there is an inscription bearing five Chinese characters, namely, 'Fo Shan Lian He Dian Zao' ('manufactured by the United Shop in Foshan') The inscription probably refers to the manufacturer of the sails.

Painted on the stern of the junk are three Chinese characters 'Li Wan Jin' ( from right to left), literally 'May our profit be ten thousand pieces of gold'. To the left is an American full-rigged ship, possibly a warship or a trader decorated in 'painted ports' style; to the right a rakishly rigged and fast British brigantine.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History

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OPIUM