Mason, George Henry. [Pu-Qua School]
Costume of China.
Soldier
London, W.Miller, 1799
Original stipple engraving, handcolored at publication.
Sheet size: 14 1/8" x 10"

A series of early hand coloured stipple engravings from

The Costume of China
by George Henry Mason published by W. Miller, Old Bond Street, London circa 1836

The sizes of the images vary but the page size in each print is 9 1/2 x 14 inches. The name of the artist Pu - Qua and the name of the engraver Dudley appears on each plate with the publisher's imprint dated 1799. Some of the prints have a watermakr J Whateman 1836

With each print is the original page of descriptive text in English and French
Part of the preface to the work reads

For the better information of his friends in Europe, the Editor obtained correct drawings of the Chinese in their respective habits and occupations; the itinerant mechanics and handicraftsmen, in particular; fac-similes of which are exhibited on the subsequen pages. Not intended, originally, for public inspection, they are thus, at the instance of some learned and ingenious griends, issued from his portfolio after ten years' privacy; and is it presumed, that partial instruction and general amusement must result from such accurate representations of the domestic and mechanical habits of an original and remote nation, which, though discovered upwards of five hundred years is still but little known by Europeans.

Description:
A bound volume of 60 watercolours and a manuscript for George Henry Mason's 'Costume of China' and a printed copy. The watercolours were painted anonymously in Canton in 1789 according to an inscription in the volume. In the printed version, each illustration bears the signature 'Pu Qua, Canton, Delin.'; however nothing is known of such artist. Large quantities of watercolours were produced in Canton for the foreign market in the second half of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911