Chinese Boats and River Vessels, Hand-Colored Ferrario Engraving, 1815
€ 290
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1815
Mapmaker / artist
Giulio Ferrario publication, Milan (Italy), circa 1815
Technique
Hand-colored copperplate engraving
Sheet size
25.4 × 35.4 cm (10.0 × 13.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13000-62
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good antique condition consistent with age. Light age toning to the margins, minor spotting and handling marks visible. Plate mark present. Original embossed blind stamp visible as issued.
About this sheet
Chinese Boats and River Vessels, Hand-Colored Ferrario Engraving 1815
A finely hand-colored copperplate engraving depicting a variety of traditional Chinese boats and river vessels, originating from Giulio Ferrario’s celebrated ethnographic publication Il Costume Antico e Moderno di Tutti i Popoli (Costumes Ancient and Modern of All Peoples), published in Milan circa 1815. This ambitious illustrated work aimed to present European audiences with a comprehensive visual survey of world cultures, customs, architecture, and technology during the Enlightenment and early nineteenth century.
The composition presents multiple vessel types arranged in two horizontal registers, each illustrating distinct designs used for transport, ceremony, or daily river life in China. The upper register shows larger vessels with tall masts, decorative flags, and groups of figures, suggesting ceremonial or communal activity on the water. The lower register includes more elaborate and specialized craft, including richly decorated barges and practical working boats. These detailed depictions offer insight into traditional Chinese maritime and riverine culture, highlighting structural differences, ornamental features, and functional design elements.
Executed with precise engraved linework and enhanced with delicate contemporary hand-coloring, the plate balances documentary accuracy with decorative appeal. Ferrario’s engravings are particularly valued for their clarity and ethnographic interest, reflecting European fascination with China during a period of expanding trade and cultural exchange. The refined pastel palette and linear composition lend the print strong visual harmony, making it well suited both for collectors and for interior design applications.
Because of its horizontal format and subject matter, the engraving works especially well as a standalone decorative statement or as part of a curated group of Ferrario China plates, where architectural, costume, and cultural themes create a cohesive narrative display.
Framing tips: A dark walnut or ebonized frame with a generous ivory mat enhances the historical character while allowing the subtle hand coloring to stand out, ideal for museum-style presentation or luxury interior settings.
