Hou Qua

circa 1830

Hou Qua II (1769-1843), born Wu Ping-chien, the third son of Hou Qua I, the original Chief of the Co-Hong, was probably the subject of Chinnery's portrait. During Chinnery's time in Macao there were at least three important Canton merchants using the trade name "Hou Qua", which became a sort of family business name handed down like a trademark from father to son. Wu Ping-chien became the most prosperous foreign trader in the first half of the nineteenth century, the chief Hong Merchant. This impressive man and his fellow Hong merchants were considered models of politeness, honesty, and fair dealing. The name and high reputation of Hou Qua became so well known in England and America that any shipment of goods that bore his name was considered of guaranteed excellence. (A 600 ton clipper ship, of "grand physique and record making speed' built by Brown and Bell of New York in 1844, was named after Houqua.) The name "Hou-qua" is the English form of the Chinese Hao-kuan (kuan being about the equivalent of Mr. or Sir). Hou Qua died 4 Sept 1843.

oil paint on canvas

H-62.3 W-47 cm

Bequest of Violet Gordon King (Mrs. Ian McEwen)

PA.010