Lot 227: Youqua (active 1840-1870)

Youqua (active 1840-1870)
An album of twelve leaves of gouache on pith-paper depicting studies of butterflies amongst flower sprays, in silk covers, with label 'Youqua Painter, Old Street, No.34'
Each leaf 20.5 x 29.3 cm.

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €5,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €400,000. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.
Youqua was an export painter who was active from the 1840s to the 1880s and who set up workshops in Canton and Hong Kong under the name 'Yeehing'. See G. Clunas, Chinese Export Watercolours , 1984. For further discussion on pith paper (derived from the pith of Tetrapanax papyrifera) paintings, see C. L. Crossmann, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade , Woodbridge, Suffolk, 1991, pp.200-202, and colour plate 70 and pls. 105 and 106 for examples of Youqua's pith paper work and label.