From 1757 to 1842 all foreign trade with China was restricted to Canton via the Whampoa Anchorage. Subsequently other ports such as Hong Kong and Shanghai became more important. Before the
invention of the camera put them all out of business, there was a thriving cottage industry, particulary
in Canton, whereby Chinese artists would paint pictures of ships and ports for the Western merchants
to take home.

It was not just paintings that were exported  from Canton. There were literally thousands of small enterprises making products for the Westerners to take back home. In particular,furniture,porcelain,
silver and ivory items were very popular. Our Website shows some of  the Chinese Export goods that together made up  The China Trade.