Merchant's House, Canton, China, 19th Century

Merchant's House, Canton, China, 19th Century

Guangdong, formerly known as Canton or Kwangtung in English, is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. From 1700 onwards, most foreign traders were confined in Canton, where rigid restrictions were imposed through the practice of Co-hong, a guild of Chinese merchants, the sole recognized agency between foreign and Chinese merchants. The Hongs were the only merchants licensed by the Chinese officials to deal with the foreign traders. They were made responsible not only for all business deals with foreigners, but for their debts and behavior as well. However rich and influential they were, the merchant class was traditionally despised by the mandarin class in China. Entitled: "Haus eines Chinesischen Kaufmanns in der nähe von Canton." Image taken from page 451 of China, historisch romantisch, malerisch (historically romantic, picturesque). A translation by Thomas Allom with historical and descriptive notes by the Rev. G. N. Wright, published 1843.

THOMAS ALLOM

Album / Science Source / British Library

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33.0 x 20.4 cm | 13.0 x 8.0 in (300 dpi)