Two children

Date1800 - 1810

Dimensions27.92 × 20.31 cm (11 × 8 in.)

MarkingsPasted to the backing paper is a ms. label reading "This picture was brought from China by my late granfather Caleb Bates 80 or more years ago. (now 1883.) It is the only thing of its kind (with its companion) I ever met with, and is a very curious and remarkable speciment of Chinese art in Pin-work ["Pin-work" underlined]. Lavinia B. Bates, Concord, Mass." Another reads, "Persons who have seen this ["this" underlined], and ["and" underlined] its companion, say they have never seen anything like it. I give it to my cousin John D. Bates. Lavinia B. Bates Boston & Concord, Mass."

Credit LineGift of the Cummings Davis Society (1991)

Object number1991.30

DescriptionWatercolor, gold leaf, and pin work on paper. One of two pictures in a set (see 1991.29). Full-length figures of two children in robes, one holding a basket, standing on a blue plateform, their robes executed in pin work and features in watercolor. Surrounded by a border of scrolls with blue diaper ground outlined in pin work interrupted by four watercolor and gold leaf renditions of jewels and two flowers, with a trailing floral vine, a bow at the top and an urn in pin work at each top corner. Frame: molded gilt wood frame, the outer edges painted yellow and varnished. Two brass rings and stapes on top edge. Frame: H:13 3/4 W:10 D:1 1/4.