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91
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Rare and important map of Shanhaiguan, circa 1900.
See original version (French)
91
-
Rare and important map of Shanhaiguan, circa 1900.
See original version (French)
Estimate €2,000 - €4,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Rare and important map of Shanhaiguan, circa 1900.
Ink and colours on canvas mounted in a scroll titled top right 山海關圖 or "Shanhaiguan"
and signed lower right 姜文埈.
Accompanied by its protective tube, probably of the period.
China, circa 1900.
Length: 145.5 cm approx.
Shanhaiguan is located at the eastern end of the Great Wall of China, where the fortifications plunge into the Bohai Sea.
Bohai Sea, Shanhaiguan was one of the most important strategic sites in Chinese imperial history. The fortified
1 km long, founded under the Ming dynasty, was the scene of numerous battles and a decisive factor in the
decisive factor in the Chinese Campaign of 1900-1901.
This map gives a clear view of the southern part of the city after it was taken over by the
by the international coalition troops of the Chinese Expedition of 1900, who had come to put an end to the Chinese Revolt.
the Boxer Rebellion in Peking.
The presence of various flags flying from various buildings in the city, including the
French and Japanese flags bear witness to this pivotal historical context. In the centre, a
the Qing dynasty flag, recognisable by the blue dragon on a yellow imperial background.
yellow imperial background.
Signs written in Chinese identify the city's various sanctuaries, administrative offices
and the city's main gates. In the lower part, outside the walls of the fortified city, you can see the
barracks for foreign contingents, bordered by a waterway on which junks and steam battleships sail.
steam battleship.
This type of map is rare on the market. Most of the known examples belonged to officers
officers who took part in the Expedition and kept the troops there after 1901. A
very similar to the one we are presenting here was owned by Lieutenant Mark Eliot
a British army officer attached to the 1st Battalion, 41st Dogras.
Bibliography: Martyn Gregory, Treaty Port Scenes: Historical Pictures by Chinese and Western
Artists 1750-1950, catalogue 83, London, 2007/2008, pp.120-121, no.105.
For another similar map, see lot 144 in Christie's London sale of 15 November 2006
then lot 144 in Bonham's sale "Chinese trade paintings" 3-11 November 2025.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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