Plate 32: Trade, from "A New Book of Chinese Designs"

Plate 32 of 'A New Book of Chinese Designs', consisting of a title page, index, and 120 plates, etched and published in 1754 by the British caricaturist, printseller and ornamental engraver Matthew Darly, in collaboration with George Edwards. The book consists of a variety of ornamental and costume designs of Chinese inspiration, some of them copies of the original works (including the title).

This plate represents a group of Chinese merchants engaging in different tasks around a table with marble panels and geometric designs on the legs. On top of the table stand two hangers with scarves, tassels, and ribbons. Seated behind the table, on a wooden chair, is a woman, with long-sleeved robe and her hair tied with a headscarf, opening a box. At the other side of the hangers is a second woman, standing, holding a ribbon bow in her right hand. Further to the right, a third woman reclines to reach a bucket with fruits (?), placed on top of a smaller table. On the left, two boys, dressed with long wobes with dots and with quoues on their heads, stand looking at each other.