Picturesque Representations and the Dress and Manners of the Chinese. Illustrated with Fifty Coloured Engravings, with Descriptions.

ALEXANDER, William.

$1,500.00

Item Number: 133048

London: Printed for James Goodwin, c. 1829.

Finely bound example of Alexander’s profusely illustrated work on t19th century China. Octavo, original full straight-grain morocco richly decorated in gilt, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, illustrated with fifty hand-colored engravings. In good condition. Rare.

Renowned English draftsman and watercolorist William Alexander was admitted to the Royal Academy at age 17. From 1792 to 1794 he accompanied Lord George Macartney’s official embassy on behalf of the British government to Beijing, where he documented the visit and made detailed drawings of the Chinese court. In 1802 he was named professor of drawing at the Royal Military School, and later served as curator of drawings and prints at the British Museum. Today his watercolors of China are in museums in Manchester, England and Dublin, Ireland.