CHINESE SCHOOL (19TH CENTURY)
Landscape Views
Oil on canvas, one depicting two figures on a plank bridge, gazing at a cluster of pavilions on the shore, mountains in the distance, the other painting with two sampans in a river with a bridge in the middle ground, both framed. Each 29cm (12in) high x 43cm (17in) wide (2).
Footnotes:
Provenance: James Basil Wilson and Julia Wilson, and thence by descent

In 1945, James Basil Wilson returned from The Second World War having served with the Gurkhas. He married Julia Burke in 1949 and they moved to London. James started working for Iron and Steel Exporters and later that year, he was offered the chance to set up an office Hong Kong, so they moved there and set up home. The business was successful, they loved Hong Kong and they lived the life of ex-patriates to the full. They swam, played golf, made friends and indulged their passion for fast cars, competing in amateur road races. Julia claimed to have won at the first Macau Grand Prix. As well as enjoying the pastimes of the culture they brought with them, they developed an enduring love for China, Chinese people, Chinese food and Chinese art. With a growing family, they returned to England in 1957. They brought with them the pieces they had bought in Hong Kong and James made many trips to Hong Kong and continued to build their collection throughout the following decades mainly from dealers in London.

Fine crackles on the surface of the paint; some areas restored/retouched, the largest 2cm x 1.5cm; minor fading of pigments; general surface wear.