Tribute boat: 4170.8

Titles

Tribute boat

Maker(s)

Youqua

Entities

• Drawing

Categories

• Drawing

Description

In later imperial China, there were two types of sea-going ships, the Cantonese style black cargo ship and the Fujian type white cargo ship. The black and white cargo ships cross the seas, or sail along the coast. This illustration depicts a Guangdong type large cargo ship with three masts. At the bow, we see carved and painted a red head and a large eye, like a right whale. For the large eyes presentation, C. Toogood Downing has the following description, "Among the great variety of large junks... you are able to distinguish two classes: those with an eye, and those without one. All the rivercraft need it seems no such organ; but those junks which are intended to go out to sea are all ornamented with a large eye, painted on each side of the bows. Whether it is considered that the sea-vessels are more liable to run against obstacles, which this large eye, that cannot be closed night or day, may enable them to evade, when the human one is closed in sleep, it is impossible to decide. It may be a piece of superstitions founded upon almost primitive simplicity. It is believed that this painted eye could bona fide perceive objects, discriminate between them, and avoid dangers. At the stern, there is a design of a "yi" bird (a fabulous bird resembling an egret). On the central mast there is a carp streamer and fair wind streamer. On the end mast, there hangs a "divine flag". There are two similar copies at V&A (8655.6 and D.1254-1887) and another one at British Library (Add. Or. 2025). Previously described as "tribute boat".

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1909) by Bothamley, Rev. H.

Dating

19th Century
Circa 1840 - Circa 1870

School or Style

Chinese
Chinese export watercolour
Chinese export art