Beschreibung:

清道光 周召棠肖像及其三代周李氏祖先像 紙本設色 鏡框（共九副） ink and colour on paper, framed, comprising the commissioner- Zhou Zaotang's portrait, shown seated on a horseshoe-back folding armchair, jiaoyi, his right leg folded, left hand holding a book, his face determined as he was newly appointed as an official on the new year of Xin Mao during the Daoguang period, corresponding to 1831AD, titled 'Chu Deng Shi Ban' (First Step of an Official Career), in the summer of Gui Si year (two years later), corresponding to 1833AD, further inscribed an enumeration of his aspirations on the left of his portrait; together with twelve of his ancestor portraits in eight works (9) largest: 34.3cm x 24.6cm Provenance: William Steel (D.1895), Master Baker to the colonial forces in the Indian Mutiny and the Opium wars, acquired these paintings in China (by repute); Inherited by his daughter, Mrs Anne Lang Roger (nee Steel) and her husband Herbert Campbell Roger, O.B.E. (D.1920); Inherited by their son Henry Glenlyon Campbell Roger (1919-1999); Thence by family descent. Note: From the private Scottish collection of Henry Glenlyon Campbell Roger (1919-1999), of Duddingston Village, Edinburgh. Inherited from the estate of his father, Herbert Campbell Roger, OBE (1st Jan 1920), awarded the Chevalier de L’Ordre de la Couronne by King Albert of Belgium for his service during the Great War (4th Dec 1919) and as Secretary of the British Red Cross for some 20 years. Lived in Glasgow and latterly at Greenend, Guilford, Surrey. Thence by family descent. Although anecdotal, the family used to discuss the adventures of William (James) Steel, father of Mrs Anne Lang Roger, a Master Baker of 498 St Vincent Street, Glasgow. He died, aged 47 on 28/5/1895 (BMD Barony) after a number of years as a contracted Master Baker to the colonial forces in the Indian Mutiny and the Opium wars. He was believed to have brought a considerable number of Far Eastern items back with him. William Steel was wealthy and variously described as Head of the house, house factor, Master Baker and a mill owner (1881 Census, Glasgow). These items would have fallen to Mrs Anne Lang Roger (nee Steel) his daughter by inheritance. The private family collection was considerable and was enhanced by further purchases made by Mrs Anne Lang Roger's husband Herbert Campbell Roger in accordance with the fashion trends towards the end of the Victorian period. Note: The centre of this group of portraits is Zhou Zaotang, who commissioned this rare group of his ancestor portraits. This is to trace back, or celebrate the significance of his family in the political domain in the Qing Court. Spanning over three generations, Zhou's commission of his ancestor portraits are detailed with their respective names. However, in a patriarchal society, only the males have their full names and females their maiden names. The details also include their official ranks, political careers, dates and times of birth and death, and their burial sites. The lineage starts from his great-grandfather Zhou Zhang (1691-1752) and his great-grandmother Madam Yang (1668-1750). Followed by grandfather Zhou Weibing (1723-1749), and grandmother Madam Yu (1725-1754). All depicted in double portraits. Curiously, almost as an improbable repetition, Zhou Zaotang's ancestors also included a family with the surname 'Li'. Starting from his great grandfather Li Chaogui (1683-1764), and great grandmother Madam Yang (1691-1765). Followed by grandfather Li Chunxiang (1723-1803), and grandmother Madam Zhang (1727-1803). All in single portraits and the male members with more elaborate inscriptions. The comprehensive original collection (excluded in this lot) discloses that the grandfather Zhou Weibing, had a son Zhou Xu (1746-1791); Whereas grandfather Li Chunxiang also had a high-ranked son Li Feng (1753-1811). Both of whom the commissioner Zhou Zaotang would call father. It is revealed in The Zhou and Li's Family Genealogy (compiled and edited by Zhou Zaotang in the Guan