About this sheet
Kangxi Emperor China Portrait Engraving, London Benjamin Tooke, 1698
A highly decorative and historically significant late 17th-century copperplate engraving depicting the Kangxi Emperor of China (1654–1722), one of the most important and longest-reigning rulers of the Qing dynasty. Published in London in 1698 for Benjamin Tooke at the Middle Temple Gate in Fleet Street, this striking portrait reflects early European fascination with China and its imperial court.
The emperor is identified in the inscription as “Cam-Hy,” an early Western transliteration of Kangxi. The text below the portrait notes that he is shown at age 41, based on a likeness made when he was 32. This detail underscores the European reliance on secondary sources—often transmitted through Jesuit missionaries—when producing visual representations of distant rulers.
The composition is particularly rich in decorative appeal. The central oval portrait is surrounded by an elaborate ornamental frame featuring stylized dragons, symbolic of imperial authority, and topped with a crown. These elements blend European baroque engraving aesthetics with imaginative interpretations of Chinese imperial iconography. Kangxi is shown wearing traditional Qing court attire, including a fur-trimmed winter hat and a robe adorned with dragon motifs, rendered with remarkable precision through fine line engraving.
Such prints were often used as frontispieces in early travel accounts, histories, or missionary publications about China, making them among the earliest widely circulated European images of Chinese emperors. Today, they are valued both for their historical importance and their strong visual presence.
This engraving offers an exceptional combination of historical depth, cross-cultural significance, and decorative impact, making it highly desirable for collectors of early Asian imagery, exploration-era prints, and 17th-century portrait engravings.
Interior mockups shown are for visual inspiration only and do not represent the exact scale. We do not sell reproductions, only original works of art over 100 years old.
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning and some light foxing, primarily visible in the margins. Minor wear consistent with age. The plate mark is clearly visible, enhancing its authenticity. Lightly mounted to paper.
Framing tips: This piece benefits from a wide ivory or cream mat to emphasize the strong engraved border and central portrait. A dark walnut or black frame will create a bold contrast, while a gilded frame can enhance its baroque character and historical richness.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: Published by Benjamin Tooke, London, 1698
