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GEORGE CHINNERY (1774-1852) A street scene in Canton, with Chinese figures smoking outside the door of a building, said to be the office of John Reeves, oil on canvas, 15.5" x 18.25". Provenance: John Reeves and thence by descent. This outstanding and rare depiction of a Canton street relates to a sketch in the collection of Jardine Matheson & Co. Ltd, which was exhibited in Hong Kong in 1965 (no. 132). In the catalogue the scene is identified as being in Macau, but in correspondence with the Goodman family Francis B. Lothrop favoured Canton and proposed Old China Street, New China Street, or Hog Lane, as the location. Lothrop described the present work as: "The most interesting street scene by Chinnery that I have ever seen". Although there are variations between the sketch and the oil offered here, the relationship is striking and unquestionable. Chinnery's shorthand below the fire engine reads "The body of the engine in dark green and all the edges and ends of poles are red. The wheels are also red excepting the iron ends. The axletree is red. All the ... are oval at the end are red and letters in the oval goldy". Provenance: Apparently acquired by John Reeves after his arrival in Canton in 1812 and thence by descent £40000-60000