Shipping off Canton.

Description: This is a view across the Pearl River at Canton in southern China towards the European 'factories' or trading posts. Canton was the centre of China's tea trade with Europe and by 1794 the East India Company was buying over nine million pounds (four million kilograms) of tea each year from the Chinese. In 1833 the Chinese tea trade was opened up to other British traders when the Company lost its monopoly.

Creator: Unknown

Date: c. 1847-56

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London