Chinese school – Canton Workshop Scene Dumpling maker

Chinese Export Gouache – Canton Workshop Scene | 19th century | 39 x 28 cm
Hand-painted gouache on pith paper, likely from a known Canton workshop

This delicately rendered Chinese export gouache depicts a craftsman at work, seated before a lacquered bench, carefully applying pigment to ceramic plates. The composition is highly detailed, capturing not only the figure but also the tools of his trade and the woven carrying basket to his side – a fascinating glimpse into Qing Dynasty artisanal life.

Executed in gouache on pith paper, the work likely originated from a well-known 19th-century workshop in Canton (Guangzhou), where such paintings were produced for export to Western collectors and scholars. These images formed part of visual encyclopaedias depicting the trades, customs, and costumes of China — prized for their ethnographic and decorative value.

The Latin inscription in the upper left reads: "Name - vendit parvas placentas caseus coctus in aqua" — roughly translated: “This man sells small cakes cooked in water.” The Chinese inscription on the right corresponds with the depicted trade.

Condition: Minor creasing and natural wear to the pith paper, consistent with age. Presented in a period-style hardwood frame.
Dimensions (sheet): 39 x 28 cm
Framed: Ready to hang

A rare and evocative image, combining ethnographic detail with artistic finesse — an exceptional addition for collectors of Chinese export art, gouache painting, or 19th-century visual culture.