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Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Tel07494 763382Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Non UK callers :
+44 7494 763382
Outbound Junk on the Pearl River, Hong Kong
Outbound Junk on the Pearl River, Hong Kong, 1914
Attributed to the Ah Hee Studio / Circle of Ah Hee
(Hong Kong School, c.1895–1925)
(Please note: we also have the companion painting “Inbound Junk” available as a separate listing. If you wish to purchase both together, please get in touch.)
Subject & Medium
A superb Hong Kong School gouache showing a three-masted southern Chinese trading junk outward bound from the Pearl River Delta towards the open South China Sea. The vessel drives away to starboard across a lively blue-green swell, her sails drawing as she leaves the low coastline astern under a humid early-morning sky.
Medium: Gouache on paper, dated 1914.
Composition & Technique
The artist focuses on a classic Pearl River Delta junk in the act of departure: broad-beamed, high-sterned and deeply laden for the sea passage ahead. Her distinctive battened lug sails are fully unfurled, each panel carefully modelled to show the tension of wind and canvas as she gathers way. The long projecting bow, stepped masts and high poop deck are all typical of the southern coastal trading type, designed to carry substantial cargo while remaining nimble in monsoon-driven waters.
Crew figures attend to sheets and rigging at bow and stern, underlining the ship as an active working vessel rather than a stock stereotype. The choppy blue-green water is animated with swift, opaque strokes of white, convincingly suggesting spray, movement and the energy of an outbound tide.
To the left, a faint, receding coastline marks the sheltered waters of Hong Kong and Canton slipping behind, while the more open, luminous expanse ahead implies the South China Sea and the voyage to come. The subtle gradation of sky – from soft, pearly tones at the horizon to clearer light above – captures the humid clarity of an early summer morning and carries the traditional symbolism of optimism and safe passage.
As with other works associated with the Ah Hee Studio, the technique marries Chinese linear discipline and calligraphic handling of sea and sky with Western-style maritime draughtsmanship, producing a ship portrait that is both accurate and atmospheric.
Signature
Along the lower edge, the work is fully inscribed in English: “A. Hean” at lower left, “Mouth of the Pearl River” at the centre, and “Hong Kong” at lower right. These inscriptions give the work its precise setting and follow the familiar format seen on comparable Hong Kong School ship portraits of the period, firmly tying it to the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong in 1914.
About the Artist & Attribution
The painting is attributed to the Ah Hee Studio / Circle of Ah Hee, active in Hong Kong from around 1895 to 1925 and recognised as one of the last important successors to the great Canton ateliers of Tingqua and Sunqua. Ah Hee and his associates specialised in finely detailed gouache views of harbours and individual ships, painted for Western merchants, naval officers and travellers who wished to commemorate the vessels and ports of their Far Eastern service.
The present work, signed “A. Hean”, displays all the hallmarks of that atelier: meticulous rigging, a confident and accurate rendering of the junk’s distinctive hull and sail plan, and the characteristic English titling along the lower margin. Dated to 9 July 1914, just weeks before the outbreak of the First World War, it belongs to the final phase of the China Trade painting tradition, when steamships already dominated long-distance routes but traditional junks still carried passengers and cargo throughout the Pearl River Delta.
About the Frame
The painting is preserved in its Hong Kong faux-bamboo gilt-wood frame with an ochre-gold bevelled mount – a classic and highly desirable export presentation. Finished to imitate bamboo, the frame reflects a fashionable style favoured by leading Queen’s Road Central shops between about 1905 and 1915, catering to expatriate and visiting clientele.
The gold mount is formed from gilded card with a pressed bronze-powder surface that has mellowed attractively. On the reverse, a photographic record of the original backing card has been retained, showing the framer’s graphite workshop note. Parts of this inscription remain legible, including instructions such as “Cut mounts / Oak and slip” together with pricing and measurements:
“2/6 each cut mounts / Oak and a slip / 9 Jul 1914 / 14 + 11 in / To be sent before 6 o’clock.”
Beneath these trade details the backing also carries a lightly written address to a Mrs [name indistinct], “11 Glencoe Rd…”, almost certainly the original customer.
This charming combination of job notation and address ties the framing securely to Hong Kong on 9 July 1914 and records the precise day the work was completed and prepared for export, probably by a major house such as Lane Crawford & Co. or A.S. Watson & Co. For modern conservation, the picture has been discreetly re-glazed with AR70 museum-grade UV-filtering glass, preserving the historic frame and mount while providing excellent protection and clarity.
Dimensions (Framed)
42 cm wide × 35.5 cm high × 2 cm deep
A beautifully balanced, manageable size that hangs perfectly in a study, library or on a maritime collector’s wall.
Provenance
Painted and inscribed in Hong Kong in July 1914 by a member of the Ah Hee Studio, the work was mounted and framed there on 9 July 1914, as confirmed by the framer’s graphite note and address on the original backing card. It was almost certainly acquired by a British expatriate or naval officer and taken back to the United Kingdom shortly before the outbreak of the First World War, remaining thereafter in a private U.K. collection by family descent.
In the 21st century it has been curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD and selected for exhibition in Sailing Through Time – Maritime Art of the East at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, Autumn 2025.
Why You’ll Love It
A striking depiction of a southern Chinese junk on her outbound voyage, capturing the moment she leaves the protection of the Pearl River for the open South China Sea.
A signed, titled and precisely dated Hong Kong School gouache, tied to 9 July 1914 – a wonderfully specific snapshot of maritime life at the very end of the age of sail in South China.
A rare survival of colonial Hong Kong taste.
A fine work from the influential Ah Hee Studio, standing firmly in the China Trade painting tradition and highly attractive to collectors of maritime, China Trade and Hong Kong art.
A ready-to-hang piece that unites Chinese craftsmanship, Western patronage and the romance of traditional junk voyages in a single, compact and highly decorative work – particularly appealing as a companion to the related “Inbound Junk” view.
Condition Report
For a painting executed in 1914, the condition is good. The gouache surface is stable and well preserved, with strong, clear colour and no disfiguring losses to the pigment layers, with some foxing visible on close inspection. The gold mount shows gentle, even toning, entirely consistent with age. The faux-bamboo gilt-wood frame is structurally sound, with an attractive, honest patina. Recent AR70 museum-grade glazing provides excellent clarity and effective UV protection.
Overall, this is a clean, well-preserved, historically intact example, ready to hang.
Explore our gallery, Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, to discover more hand-picked treasures.
Questions are very welcome – please feel free to send us a message with any enquiries about this piece or about acquiring it together with the companion painting, Inbound Junk. We offer our clients 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our fine art, antiques & collectibles!
We ship worldwide with expert bespoke professional wrapping & packing and offer attractive international shipping rates with insurance – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.
We Offer Free delivery to most areas of the U.K mainland except for Scottish Highland & Islands – Please send us your post code for a quote thankyou.
Registered Office Address
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ
Company Number 15666518
GB VAT registration number 466128775
Making Payment
Goods can be bought by either International bank wire transfer or domestic BACS payment we can email you an invoice together with our banking instructions. Cash upon collection is also accepted. Shipping is with insurance cover. Import duty and taxes payable by the buyer please enquire if you need any assistance. Delivery time is usually within 2 weeks for International and 1 week for domestic shipping approximate. It can be faster depending upon the size and weight of the item(s) that you ordering from us. You are also welcome to arrange for your own courier to collect as long as we have received full cleared bank transfer payment.
SellerCheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
View all stock from
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Private dealer, by appointment only.
71-75 Shelton Street,
Covent Garden,
London, England
WC2H 9JQ.
Tel : 07494 763382
Non UK callers : +44 7494 763382
Get directions to Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Attributed to the Ah Hee Studio / Circle of Ah Hee
(Hong Kong School, c.1895–1925)
(Please note: we also have the companion painting “Inbound Junk” available as a separate listing. If you wish to purchase both together, please get in touch.)
Subject & Medium
A superb Hong Kong School gouache showing a three-masted southern Chinese trading junk outward bound from the Pearl River Delta towards the open South China Sea. The vessel drives away to starboard across a lively blue-green swell, her sails drawing as she leaves the low coastline astern under a humid early-morning sky.
Medium: Gouache on paper, dated 1914.
Composition & Technique
The artist focuses on a classic Pearl River Delta junk in the act of departure: broad-beamed, high-sterned and deeply laden for the sea passage ahead. Her distinctive battened lug sails are fully unfurled, each panel carefully modelled to show the tension of wind and canvas as she gathers way. The long projecting bow, stepped masts and high poop deck are all typical of the southern coastal trading type, designed to carry substantial cargo while remaining nimble in monsoon-driven waters.
Crew figures attend to sheets and rigging at bow and stern, underlining the ship as an active working vessel rather than a stock stereotype. The choppy blue-green water is animated with swift, opaque strokes of white, convincingly suggesting spray, movement and the energy of an outbound tide.
To the left, a faint, receding coastline marks the sheltered waters of Hong Kong and Canton slipping behind, while the more open, luminous expanse ahead implies the South China Sea and the voyage to come. The subtle gradation of sky – from soft, pearly tones at the horizon to clearer light above – captures the humid clarity of an early summer morning and carries the traditional symbolism of optimism and safe passage.
As with other works associated with the Ah Hee Studio, the technique marries Chinese linear discipline and calligraphic handling of sea and sky with Western-style maritime draughtsmanship, producing a ship portrait that is both accurate and atmospheric.
Signature
Along the lower edge, the work is fully inscribed in English: “A. Hean” at lower left, “Mouth of the Pearl River” at the centre, and “Hong Kong” at lower right. These inscriptions give the work its precise setting and follow the familiar format seen on comparable Hong Kong School ship portraits of the period, firmly tying it to the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong in 1914.
About the Artist & Attribution
The painting is attributed to the Ah Hee Studio / Circle of Ah Hee, active in Hong Kong from around 1895 to 1925 and recognised as one of the last important successors to the great Canton ateliers of Tingqua and Sunqua. Ah Hee and his associates specialised in finely detailed gouache views of harbours and individual ships, painted for Western merchants, naval officers and travellers who wished to commemorate the vessels and ports of their Far Eastern service.
The present work, signed “A. Hean”, displays all the hallmarks of that atelier: meticulous rigging, a confident and accurate rendering of the junk’s distinctive hull and sail plan, and the characteristic English titling along the lower margin. Dated to 9 July 1914, just weeks before the outbreak of the First World War, it belongs to the final phase of the China Trade painting tradition, when steamships already dominated long-distance routes but traditional junks still carried passengers and cargo throughout the Pearl River Delta.
About the Frame
The painting is preserved in its Hong Kong faux-bamboo gilt-wood frame with an ochre-gold bevelled mount – a classic and highly desirable export presentation. Finished to imitate bamboo, the frame reflects a fashionable style favoured by leading Queen’s Road Central shops between about 1905 and 1915, catering to expatriate and visiting clientele.
The gold mount is formed from gilded card with a pressed bronze-powder surface that has mellowed attractively. On the reverse, a photographic record of the original backing card has been retained, showing the framer’s graphite workshop note. Parts of this inscription remain legible, including instructions such as “Cut mounts / Oak and slip” together with pricing and measurements:
“2/6 each cut mounts / Oak and a slip / 9 Jul 1914 / 14 + 11 in / To be sent before 6 o’clock.”
Beneath these trade details the backing also carries a lightly written address to a Mrs [name indistinct], “11 Glencoe Rd…”, almost certainly the original customer.
This charming combination of job notation and address ties the framing securely to Hong Kong on 9 July 1914 and records the precise day the work was completed and prepared for export, probably by a major house such as Lane Crawford & Co. or A.S. Watson & Co. For modern conservation, the picture has been discreetly re-glazed with AR70 museum-grade UV-filtering glass, preserving the historic frame and mount while providing excellent protection and clarity.
Dimensions (Framed)
42 cm wide × 35.5 cm high × 2 cm deep
A beautifully balanced, manageable size that hangs perfectly in a study, library or on a maritime collector’s wall.
Provenance
Painted and inscribed in Hong Kong in July 1914 by a member of the Ah Hee Studio, the work was mounted and framed there on 9 July 1914, as confirmed by the framer’s graphite note and address on the original backing card. It was almost certainly acquired by a British expatriate or naval officer and taken back to the United Kingdom shortly before the outbreak of the First World War, remaining thereafter in a private U.K. collection by family descent.
In the 21st century it has been curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD and selected for exhibition in Sailing Through Time – Maritime Art of the East at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, Autumn 2025.
Why You’ll Love It
A striking depiction of a southern Chinese junk on her outbound voyage, capturing the moment she leaves the protection of the Pearl River for the open South China Sea.
A signed, titled and precisely dated Hong Kong School gouache, tied to 9 July 1914 – a wonderfully specific snapshot of maritime life at the very end of the age of sail in South China.
A rare survival of colonial Hong Kong taste.
A fine work from the influential Ah Hee Studio, standing firmly in the China Trade painting tradition and highly attractive to collectors of maritime, China Trade and Hong Kong art.
A ready-to-hang piece that unites Chinese craftsmanship, Western patronage and the romance of traditional junk voyages in a single, compact and highly decorative work – particularly appealing as a companion to the related “Inbound Junk” view.
Condition Report
For a painting executed in 1914, the condition is good. The gouache surface is stable and well preserved, with strong, clear colour and no disfiguring losses to the pigment layers, with some foxing visible on close inspection. The gold mount shows gentle, even toning, entirely consistent with age. The faux-bamboo gilt-wood frame is structurally sound, with an attractive, honest patina. Recent AR70 museum-grade glazing provides excellent clarity and effective UV protection.
Overall, this is a clean, well-preserved, historically intact example, ready to hang.
Explore our gallery, Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, to discover more hand-picked treasures.
Questions are very welcome – please feel free to send us a message with any enquiries about this piece or about acquiring it together with the companion painting, Inbound Junk. We offer our clients 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our fine art, antiques & collectibles!
We ship worldwide with expert bespoke professional wrapping & packing and offer attractive international shipping rates with insurance – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.
We Offer Free delivery to most areas of the U.K mainland except for Scottish Highland & Islands – Please send us your post code for a quote thankyou.
Registered Office Address
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom, WC2H 9JQ
Company Number 15666518
GB VAT registration number 466128775
Making Payment
Goods can be bought by either International bank wire transfer or domestic BACS payment we can email you an invoice together with our banking instructions. Cash upon collection is also accepted. Shipping is with insurance cover. Import duty and taxes payable by the buyer please enquire if you need any assistance. Delivery time is usually within 2 weeks for International and 1 week for domestic shipping approximate. It can be faster depending upon the size and weight of the item(s) that you ordering from us. You are also welcome to arrange for your own courier to collect as long as we have received full cleared bank transfer payment.
Price
Click here to message the seller The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 3/DEC/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art
> Antique Watercolours
Date 1914
1910s Antiques Material Painted
Origin Chinese
Item code as1013a1285
Status For Sale
£3980.00 
$5305.74
€4550.73
$5305.74
€4550.73
Looking to Buy?
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealerClick here to message the seller
Conversion rates as of 3/DEC/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Shipping information
We offer Free Delivery to Mainland England, Wales mainland & Scottish lowlands mainland areas only!
For International buyers please contact us before you order as shipping costs are additional please request a shipping quote, also to advise that any import duty taxes due are additional and are payable by the buyer.
Scottish Highlands & all islands also for International buyers please get in touch for an international shipping quote thankyou. Our preferred Payment is by by BACS Bank Transfer, we can also accept stripe, amazon pay, google pay & paypal.
Confirmation of delivery is provided by email or text message, which includes a courier tracking number and date of posting or collection. Shipping costs are charged based upon the type of shipping service used, either express, standard or economy services and size and weight of item.
Delivery by parcel courier within the UK Mainland will be used for all smalls, paintings & all furniture items allow between 2 to 5 working days delivery time. Online tracking can be provided. International delivery airfreight is available estimated delivery times between 5 to 14 working days approximate upon request by providing your full name and address together with a postal area or zip code and a contact phone number.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance and any other charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
For International buyers please contact us before you order as shipping costs are additional please request a shipping quote, also to advise that any import duty taxes due are additional and are payable by the buyer.
Scottish Highlands & all islands also for International buyers please get in touch for an international shipping quote thankyou. Our preferred Payment is by by BACS Bank Transfer, we can also accept stripe, amazon pay, google pay & paypal.
Confirmation of delivery is provided by email or text message, which includes a courier tracking number and date of posting or collection. Shipping costs are charged based upon the type of shipping service used, either express, standard or economy services and size and weight of item.
Delivery by parcel courier within the UK Mainland will be used for all smalls, paintings & all furniture items allow between 2 to 5 working days delivery time. Online tracking can be provided. International delivery airfreight is available estimated delivery times between 5 to 14 working days approximate upon request by providing your full name and address together with a postal area or zip code and a contact phone number.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance and any other charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Terms and conditions
For International buyers please contact us before you order as shipping costs are additional please request a shipping quote, also to advise that any import duty taxes due are additional and are payable by the buyer.
For both domestic & International buyers please get in touch for a shipping quote thankyou. Our payment method is by BACS Bank Transfer for UK domestic clients and for International clients payment is preferred by international bank wire transfer. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.
For International buyers Payment is required within 3 calendar days of the sale being agreed.
If payment is not received within this time. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD reserves the right to consider selling the item (s) to another customer at its discretion.
Deposit payments are accepted, however shipping will not take place until the balance has been paid in full and to advise deposit payments are non refundable.
Upgrades & Exchanges are also offered please ask.
Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt. The buyer is solely responsible for paying the entire costs of the outbound & return shipping costs also any import costs & duty taxes due. Return authorisation should be requested by sending an email before posting. Once we receive the item in good order as supplied not withstanding notified transit damage, we will return partial refund payment using the same payment method less our shipping costs. For any Refunds given the refund amount will have our cost of the outbound shipping costs deducted.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
For both domestic & International buyers please get in touch for a shipping quote thankyou. Our payment method is by BACS Bank Transfer for UK domestic clients and for International clients payment is preferred by international bank wire transfer. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.
For International buyers Payment is required within 3 calendar days of the sale being agreed.
If payment is not received within this time. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD reserves the right to consider selling the item (s) to another customer at its discretion.
Deposit payments are accepted, however shipping will not take place until the balance has been paid in full and to advise deposit payments are non refundable.
Upgrades & Exchanges are also offered please ask.
Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt. The buyer is solely responsible for paying the entire costs of the outbound & return shipping costs also any import costs & duty taxes due. Return authorisation should be requested by sending an email before posting. Once we receive the item in good order as supplied not withstanding notified transit damage, we will return partial refund payment using the same payment method less our shipping costs. For any Refunds given the refund amount will have our cost of the outbound shipping costs deducted.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
View all stock from
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Private dealer, by appointment only.71-75 Shelton Street,
Covent Garden,
London, England
WC2H 9JQ.
Tel : 07494 763382
Non UK callers : +44 7494 763382
Get directions to Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
You may also be interested in
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Mark Ingram Beautiful Large Framed Painting c1960
Grand Tour Watercolour The Temples At Paestum
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Neapolitan Grand Tour Day and Night watercolours
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