CHINESE SCHOOL
Circa 1847
China Trade portrait of the clipper ship Samuel Russell. Unsigned.
Oil on canvas, 29.5" x 39.75". Framed 35.5" x 45.5".
Provenance:
Samuel L. Lowe Antiques, Boston, 1990.
The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

Literature:
For a history of the Samuel Russell, see American Clipper Ships 1833-58 by O.T. Howe, M.D.
For a discussion of the extension to the mizzen, see The Book of Old Ships by Henry B. Culver (Dover edition, 1992, of Doubleday publication 1922), p. 234-36.

The Samuel Russell, named after the senior member of the prominent American firm Russell & Co., which operated in China and once partnered with Messrs. Low, was slightly larger than the celebrated Sea Witch. On her maiden voyage from New York, September 14, 1847, the Samuel Russell was under command of Captain N.B. Palmer. Palmer oversaw her construction and utilized many elements he encountered during his long experience as master in the China Trade. She was captained for many years by Charles Low, who established an outstanding record while sailing with her. The captain’s pride is also evident in this painting.

In comparison with the ships in the background, the Samuel Russell is flying four headsails as opposed to three. She also has all her square sails, including her skysails over her royals, full studding sails, and even an unusual extension to her mizzen sail, called either a ringtail, a driver or a spanker. The latter term may be more properly reserved for the main part of the mizzen, even though the main part of the mizzen is also itself frequently called the mizzen. Since the additional aft sail functions like a studding sail, an alternate descriptive name could be “mizzen studding sail”, though it has also been commonly referred to as a “bonnet”.

Regardless, the painting’s fastidious detail is the result of the skipper's detailed instructions to the Chinese artist to show the ship in all her finery.

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age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.