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Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd
Tel07494 763382Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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Painting Inbound Junk Ship Mouth Pearl River, Hong
Inbound Junk at the Mouth of 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 “Outbound Junk” available as a separate listing. If you wish to purchase both together, please get in touch.)
Subject & Medium
A powerful southern Chinese three-masted junk drives under full sail towards Hong Kong at the mouth of the Pearl River, her red hull punching through a lively swell beneath a high, hazy South China sky.
Medium: Gouache on paper, 1914.
Composition & Technique
The artist centres the composition on a classic Pearl River Delta trading junk: broad-beamed, high-sterned and immensely seaworthy. Her distinctive battened lug sails are shown fully set, each panel carefully shaded to suggest the tension of wind and canvas. The stepped masts, long projecting bow and high poop deck are all typical of the southern coastal trading type, designed to carry heavy cargo between the river ports and Hong Kong while remaining agile in shifting monsoon conditions.
The junk’s red-painted hull – a colour often associated with anti-fouling treatments and good fortune – stands out brilliantly against the green-grey water. Rows of ports and hatches, the sweep of the steering gear and the bustle of crew on deck are rendered with meticulous care, emphasising the vessel not as a generic “Chinese boat” but as a specific, hard-working trading ship.
Choppy, greenish seas are animated with quick strokes of opaque white, giving a convincing sense of spray and forward motion. In the distance, low, misted hills dissolve into a pale horizon, capturing the humid luminosity of the South China Sea and fixing the junk precisely at the mouth of the Pearl River. The technique combines a calligraphic handling of water and sky drawn from Chinese tradition with Western-style maritime draughtsmanship – a hallmark of Hong Kong export ship portraits.
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 define the work’s exact setting and match the conventions seen on comparable Hong Kong School ship portraits of the period.
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 regarded as an important successor to the great Canton workshops of Tingqua and Sunqua. Ah Hee and his associates specialised in harbour views and ship portraits in gouache, painted for Western merchants and naval officers who wished to record the vessels and ports of their service in the Far East.
The present work, signed “A. Hean”, displays all the hallmarks of that atelier: precise rigging, a sensitive yet accurate handling of the junk’s distinctive hull and sail plan, and the familiar English inscription format. Painted in 1914, when steamships dominated long-distance trade but traditional junks still carried cargo throughout the Pearl River Delta, it belongs firmly to the final phase of the China Trade painting tradition.
About the Frame
The painting is preserved in its fitting Hong Kong faux-bamboo gilt-wood frame with an ochre-gold bevelled mount – an exemplary export presentation. Finished to imitate bamboo, the frame reflects a fashionable style favoured by the better Queen’s Road Central shops between 1905 and 1915.
The gold card mount has a pressed bronze-powder surface that has mellowed gently over time. On the reverse, a photograph is attached showing the original graphite annotation from the framer, which reads:
“2/6 each cut mounts / Oak and a slip / 9 Jul 1914 / 14 + 11 in / To be sent before 6 o’clock.”
This charming note ties the framing securely to Hong Kong on 9 July 1914, the day the work was prepared for export, probably by one of the leading houses 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 highly manageable, elegant size that sits beautifully in a study, library or on a maritime collection wall.
Provenance
Painted and inscribed in Hong Kong in July 1914 by a member of the Ah Hee Studio, the work was framed there, as confirmed by the framer’s inscription. 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, Shrewsbury, Autumn 2025.
Why You’ll Love It
A wonderfully characterful Chinese junk in full sail, showing all the details of a working Pearl River trading vessel – from her battened sails to her busy working deck.
A signed, titled and precisely located Hong Kong School gouache, depicting the mouth of the Pearl River in 1914 at the very end of the age of sail in South China.
A rare time capsule of colonial Hong Kong taste.
An attribution to the influential Ah Hee Studio, carrying forward the China Trade painting tradition and highly regarded by collectors of maritime and Hong Kong art.
A ready-to-hang piece that unites Chinese craftsmanship, Western maritime history and the romance of traditional junk boats in a single, compact and highly decorative work – especially effective when paired with the companion “Outbound Junk” painting.
Condition Report
For a painting executed in 1914, the condition is good. The gouache surface is fresh and stable, with strong, unfaded colour and no disfiguring losses, with some foxing stains visible on close inspection. The gold mount shows gentle, even toning, entirely consistent with age and adding to its period charm. 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.
Click “Buy It Now” to make this Hong Kong marine masterpiece yours before it is gone.
Add this evocative Pearl River junk portrait to your collection today.
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, Outbound 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 “Outbound Junk” available as a separate listing. If you wish to purchase both together, please get in touch.)
Subject & Medium
A powerful southern Chinese three-masted junk drives under full sail towards Hong Kong at the mouth of the Pearl River, her red hull punching through a lively swell beneath a high, hazy South China sky.
Medium: Gouache on paper, 1914.
Composition & Technique
The artist centres the composition on a classic Pearl River Delta trading junk: broad-beamed, high-sterned and immensely seaworthy. Her distinctive battened lug sails are shown fully set, each panel carefully shaded to suggest the tension of wind and canvas. The stepped masts, long projecting bow and high poop deck are all typical of the southern coastal trading type, designed to carry heavy cargo between the river ports and Hong Kong while remaining agile in shifting monsoon conditions.
The junk’s red-painted hull – a colour often associated with anti-fouling treatments and good fortune – stands out brilliantly against the green-grey water. Rows of ports and hatches, the sweep of the steering gear and the bustle of crew on deck are rendered with meticulous care, emphasising the vessel not as a generic “Chinese boat” but as a specific, hard-working trading ship.
Choppy, greenish seas are animated with quick strokes of opaque white, giving a convincing sense of spray and forward motion. In the distance, low, misted hills dissolve into a pale horizon, capturing the humid luminosity of the South China Sea and fixing the junk precisely at the mouth of the Pearl River. The technique combines a calligraphic handling of water and sky drawn from Chinese tradition with Western-style maritime draughtsmanship – a hallmark of Hong Kong export ship portraits.
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 define the work’s exact setting and match the conventions seen on comparable Hong Kong School ship portraits of the period.
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 regarded as an important successor to the great Canton workshops of Tingqua and Sunqua. Ah Hee and his associates specialised in harbour views and ship portraits in gouache, painted for Western merchants and naval officers who wished to record the vessels and ports of their service in the Far East.
The present work, signed “A. Hean”, displays all the hallmarks of that atelier: precise rigging, a sensitive yet accurate handling of the junk’s distinctive hull and sail plan, and the familiar English inscription format. Painted in 1914, when steamships dominated long-distance trade but traditional junks still carried cargo throughout the Pearl River Delta, it belongs firmly to the final phase of the China Trade painting tradition.
About the Frame
The painting is preserved in its fitting Hong Kong faux-bamboo gilt-wood frame with an ochre-gold bevelled mount – an exemplary export presentation. Finished to imitate bamboo, the frame reflects a fashionable style favoured by the better Queen’s Road Central shops between 1905 and 1915.
The gold card mount has a pressed bronze-powder surface that has mellowed gently over time. On the reverse, a photograph is attached showing the original graphite annotation from the framer, which reads:
“2/6 each cut mounts / Oak and a slip / 9 Jul 1914 / 14 + 11 in / To be sent before 6 o’clock.”
This charming note ties the framing securely to Hong Kong on 9 July 1914, the day the work was prepared for export, probably by one of the leading houses 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 highly manageable, elegant size that sits beautifully in a study, library or on a maritime collection wall.
Provenance
Painted and inscribed in Hong Kong in July 1914 by a member of the Ah Hee Studio, the work was framed there, as confirmed by the framer’s inscription. 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, Shrewsbury, Autumn 2025.
Why You’ll Love It
A wonderfully characterful Chinese junk in full sail, showing all the details of a working Pearl River trading vessel – from her battened sails to her busy working deck.
A signed, titled and precisely located Hong Kong School gouache, depicting the mouth of the Pearl River in 1914 at the very end of the age of sail in South China.
A rare time capsule of colonial Hong Kong taste.
An attribution to the influential Ah Hee Studio, carrying forward the China Trade painting tradition and highly regarded by collectors of maritime and Hong Kong art.
A ready-to-hang piece that unites Chinese craftsmanship, Western maritime history and the romance of traditional junk boats in a single, compact and highly decorative work – especially effective when paired with the companion “Outbound Junk” painting.
Condition Report
For a painting executed in 1914, the condition is good. The gouache surface is fresh and stable, with strong, unfaded colour and no disfiguring losses, with some foxing stains visible on close inspection. The gold mount shows gentle, even toning, entirely consistent with age and adding to its period charm. 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.
Click “Buy It Now” to make this Hong Kong marine masterpiece yours before it is gone.
Add this evocative Pearl River junk portrait to your collection today.
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, Outbound 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 2/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 as1013a1286
Status For Sale
£3980.00 
$5254.00
€4526.85
$5254.00
€4526.85
Looking to Buy?
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealerClick here to message the seller
Conversion rates as of 2/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
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Artwork for ‘Mintesers’ - Original Illustration
Painting Two Ducks Flying Away By Thomas Blinks
Temple Village By Sir William George Gillies
A Superb Water Colour Painting. Wherry Sailing
Toy Town RA listed artist Daphne Beak Alexander
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Victorian Watercolour Apple Blossom Blue Tit Bird
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