Lot 15068: McArthur - H. M. S. Encounter at Ningpo in 1862

This hand-colored lithograph is by A. D. McArthur and features the H. M. S. "Encounter" at Ningpo in 1862. It was printed in London circa 1863 by Paul Jerrard & Son.

This bold print depicts the battleship H. M. S. "Encounter" at port in Ningpo harbor. From 1850 to 1864 China was engulfed in a bloody civil war known as the Taiping Rebellion. The rebellion was led by Hung Hsiu-ch'üan, a visionary from Guangdong who evolved a political creed influenced by elements of Christianity. His object was to replace the existing Qing Dynasty with a new dynasty, the Taiping. Widespread discontent brought Hsiu-ch'üan many adherents, especially among the poorer classes, and the movement spread with great violence through the eastern valley of the Chang River. The rebels captured Nanjing in 1853 and made it their capital. Britain at first sympathized with the rebellion, but upon realizing that the Qing dynasty might collapse, an event that would effectively eliminate the possibility of foreign trade with China (i.e. the huge opium trade), lent troops in support of the royal army. The British navy was deployed off the Chinese coast, and the military led the army against the Taiping rebels. Weakened by strategic blunders and internal dissension, the Taiping rebels were finally defeated in 1864. More than 20 million people died in the Rebellion.

The "Encounter" was built in 1846, a "screw sloop." It was used in the 2nd Opium War, participating in the attack on Canton, "breaching its walls," according to a newspaper account. The "Encounter" was broken up soon after the action depicted in this print, in 1863.

Mat Size ~ 21" by 17 3/4"; Paper Size ~ 17" by 12 3/4"

Hand-colored Lithograph

c1863

Overall Very Good. There is a very small, closed tear and chip at the lower edge just to the lower nomenclature. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact with any questions.

Encounter