CHINESE SCHOOL, CIRCA 1760

From one of two presumably unique albums once in the Mottahedeh collection depicting Western and Chinese character types, the inscriptions, probably later, describing the foreigners' origins, their costumes, and their travel to Canton. Howard & Ayers, op. cit., discuss the albums and illustrate a number of pages (pp. 23-31, and on the cover and frontispiece), including the Dutch couple, the nun and priest, and the probably Portugese man, translating his inscription: He is a Westerner who has a white skin. He does not have a heavy beard but plaits his hair. He wears a triangular black hat, short jacket, leather shoes and long stockings. After about seven months he will leave Guangdong by water. At present he is living in the district of (Macao). And of the priest: He is a priest who came from one of the Western countries...He believes in the faith of the Catholics and was appointed by his superior to come to (Macao) and live in the temple named (St.Paul's) to preach and do good deeds to the people