Tilesius von Tilenau, Wilhelm Gottlieb:

$27,500 · Offered by William Reese Company

CHINESE WAR JUNK OR COMMANDER'S VESSEL IN FRONT OF THE DANISH SETTLEMENT, DRAWN AFTER NATURE IN THE CANTON RIVER [translation of manuscript caption ... An extremely important and visually appealing watercolor depicting trading practices on the Canton River in China, early 19th century. The work was done during the Krusenstern expedition, Russia's first major scientific voyage in the Pacific and first circumnavigation of the world by a Russian ship. It was executed by the ship's artist, Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau. The view is from the perspective of a boat on the river and shows several Danish trading houses set up on the riverside. The buildings are made of wood and thatch, and several barrels and logs are also present. The factories fly flags of a white cross on a red background. Several men are shown on the riverbank, a tower is seen in the middle distance, and mountains are shown across the background. A large Chinese ship, identified in the manuscript caption as a "war junk," dominates the scene on the river, and six smaller vessels are also shown. The present image by Tilesius provides a rare and vivid record of these fleeting trade seasons, providing important details of the Danish post. The original manuscript caption is attached to the verso of the watercolor and reads: "Eine Chinesische Krieges Junke oder Kommandeurs Schiff vor dem Daenischen Bankshall. Dr. Tilesius v. T. ad nat. pinxit in flumine Sinico Taiho Cantonensi."In the early 19th century foreign

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.