Antique View China Life Scenes Shanghai, The Graphic, May 14 1881
€ 290
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1881
Mapmaker / artist
Published in The Graphic, London, May 14, 1881
Technique
Wood engraving
Sheet size
40.3 × 29.7 cm (15.9 × 11.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14274-19
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
Good condition, with general age-related toning. Light staining and minor wear consistent with use and age. The sheet remains well-preserved, with clear impressions and strong detail throughout. Please review the images for further condition details.
About this sheet
Antique View China Life Scenes Shanghai, The Graphic, May 14 1881 A striking and richly detailed 19th-century wood engraving sheet titled China—Sketches of Life and Character, II, published in the renowned illustrated newspaper The Graphic on May 14, 1881. This large-format composition presents a series of vivid scenes depicting daily life in China, offering a rare and engaging glimpse into the social and cultural fabric of the late Qing period.
The sheet is composed of multiple finely engraved panels, each illustrating a distinct moment: figures canoeing among lotus lakes, a Chinese sampan navigating open water, a lively evening gathering in Shanghai, a street storyteller addressing an attentive crowd, and an intimate dinner scene. Together, these images form a cohesive narrative that reflects both the diversity and rhythm of everyday life, as observed through a Western lens during a period of increasing global exchange.
At the center of the composition, the scene titled A Summer Night in Shanghai anchors the sheet, depicting a communal moment illuminated by hanging lanterns, with figures gathered in relaxed conversation. The surrounding panels add movement and variety, from tranquil natural settings to animated urban encounters, creating a dynamic and visually balanced layout.
Publications such as The Graphic were celebrated for their high-quality engravings and their role in bringing distant parts of the world to a European audience. Sheets like this are increasingly appreciated today for their combination of documentary value and decorative strength. The multi-panel format, together with the clarity of line and strong contrasts, makes this an exceptional piece for display, particularly when framed with a wide mat to enhance its presence.
This is an original 19th-century engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The print is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be on scale with the original.
Condition report: Good condition, with general age-related toning. Light staining and minor wear consistent with use and age. The sheet remains well-preserved, with clear impressions and strong detail throughout. Please study the image carefully.
Framing tips: This sheet benefits from a large, museum-style presentation. A soft gold or champagne frame combined with a wide ivory mat (8–10 cm) will elevate the composition and give it the presence of a statement artwork. Best displayed in a bright interior or gallery setting where the detailed scenes can be appreciated.
