Enquiry about object: 10403
Chinese Opium Shop Outdoor Advertising Hoarding or Sign
China, probably Hong Kong 19th century
height: 72.7cm, width: 40.2cm, thickness: 3.5cm, weight: 6,390g
Provenance
private collection, UK
This two-sided outdoors wooden shop hoarding is carved in traditional Chinese with letters that give the shop’s name on each side – 恆祥永 Heng Xiang Yong.
On one side, the board further state that the shops provides money services – 錢店 qian dian – so probably functioned as a monely lender and possibly a pawnship.
On the other side, the board adds that it is – 土莊 tu zhuang – literally a ‘mud shop’. ‘Mud’ was a slang term for opium. The term alludes to the oozing mud-lie quality of opium, but is somewhat disparaging too – an acknowledgment of the negative aspects of the drug.
The shop’s functions are carved in the largest letters, and these are also carved deeply. The letters originally were coloured red, against the black paint of the rest of the hoarding.
The top of the hoarding is drilled with holes to allow for suspension.
The novelty and historical value of this hoarding is its association with the opium trade in China.
The hoarding has age and weather-related wear but is heavy, solid and in a stable condition.
Above: Shop hoardings in southern China, circa 1900
References
Delalande, D. & E., Memoires d’Opiums/Memories of Opium, Somogy editions, 2011.
Lee, P., Opium Culture: The Art & Ritual of the Chinese Tradition, Park Street Press, 2006.
Martin, S., The Art of Opium Antiques, Silkworm, 2007.
