About this sheet
Antique Chinese Portraits Print – Confucius & Early Emperors, Ferrario, 1815
This finely hand-colored antique plate presents a group of six historical Chinese portraits, published in 1815 as part of Jules Ferrario’s influential work Le Costume Ancien et Moderne, produced in Milan. Rather than depicting costume alone, this plate brings together key philosophical, political, and imperial figures whose influence shaped early Chinese civilization, making it both historically and intellectually significant.
The portraits shown are identified as follows:
1. Fouhi (Fuxi), regarded in Chinese tradition as the legendary founder of the monarchy and an early culture hero associated with civilization and order.
2. Kung-Tseeus, known in the West as Confucius, the great philosopher whose ethical teachings formed the foundation of Confucian thought and governance.
3. Tsin-Chi-Huang-Tsi (Qin Shi Huang), the first emperor of a unified China, remembered both for centralizing imperial power and for the infamous burning of books.
4. Laozi (Lao-Tseu), the legendary philosopher traditionally credited as the founder of Daoism.
5. Tang-Tay-Tsong (Emperor Taizong of Tang), founder of the Tang Dynasty’s power and one of China’s most admired rulers.
6. Tse-Tien-Huang-Heou (Wu Zetian), the only female emperor in Chinese history, shown here as Empress.
Ferrario’s approach is scholarly and comparative, presenting each figure with careful attention to facial expression, attire, and symbolic detail. The restrained hand coloring enhances the clarity of the engravings while maintaining a refined, encyclopedic tone. Plates such as this were intended to educate European audiences about world history and culture, combining costume study with historical portraiture.
As with other plates from the Milan edition of Le Costume Ancien et Moderne, this sheet bears the original embossed blind stamp associated with the publication. This dry stamp was applied at the time of issue and serves as an important indicator of authenticity. As issued, the embossing may lightly overlap the image area.
The print is offered unframed and stands equally well as a scholarly collectible or as a visually engaging decorative work, appealing to collectors of Asian history, philosophy, and early ethnographic illustration.
Condition Report: Good antique condition. Light age-related toning and minor scattered spotting consistent with early 19th-century paper. Original hand coloring well preserved. Original embossed blind stamp visible, as issued, with possible light overlap into the image area. No major tears or restorations observed.
Framing Tips: This plate benefits from a simple, museum-style presentation. An ivory or warm off-white mat will complement the paper tone and hand coloring, while a darker frame in walnut, ebonized wood, or subtle gilt will give the portraits visual authority. A generous mat margin enhances the print’s scholarly character and allows the embossed stamp to remain visible.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: Jules Ferrario, Milan, 1815
