Revisiting Huangchao liqi tushi: art historical and provenance analysis of the scattered pages from a looted Qing imperial album

Zhao, Haoyang (2025) Revisiting Huangchao liqi tushi: art historical and provenance analysis of the scattered pages from a looted Qing imperial album. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This dissertation presents a comprehensive exploration of the ‘biography’ of a coloured edition of a Qing imperial album, Huangchao liqi tushi (HCLQTS) 皇朝禮器圖式, or Illustrated Regulations for Ceremonial Paraphernalia of the Present (Qing) Dynasty. It traces the journey of this significant album from their creation in the Qianlong court of the 18th century, through their dispersal following the looting of the Yuanmingyuan in 1860, to their current locations in various Western museums and appearances on the art market. This research involved the meticulous gathering and examination of over 700 scattered pages found outside China or appeared on the art market, with a focus on collecting data such as the marks on the reverse sides of the pages. The study also involved an extensive survey of all relevant records, including provenance information from museum archives, publications, sales catalogues, and the Qing imperial archives.

Key findings of this dissertation include:

1. The successful reconstruction of the scattered pages back into their original 92-volume order, as recorded in the Qing archives, including the discovery of several more complete volumes with restored in-volume order.

2. A detailed clarification of the HCLQTS commissioning process, which spanned nearly three decades (1748-1775), encompassing four coloured and one printed edition. The study outlines the editing and modification journey of these editions, marking significant milestones in their development.

3. Resolution of the provenance issues of the HCLQTS, establishing that all discovered pages outside China originated from the Yuanmingyuan edition. The research identifies three key figures involved in the 1860 looting of the Qing imperial palaces: William Gordon Chalmers of 15th Punjabees (Pioneers) afterwards 23rd, John Upperton of Fane’s Horse, and Hope Grant, the commander of the British force during the second opium war.

4. An analytical discussion from both provenance and art historical perspectives, highlighting the neglected role of the rare book trade network in the late 19th-century distribution of looted Yuanmingyuan objects. The study also provides insight into the vivid and precise depiction of materials in the HCLQTS coloured illustrations, suggesting their utility as visual aids for court painting production, and challenging traditional perspectives of the HCLQTS as merely 'ideal' representations.

This dissertation not only contributes to the understanding of the HCLQTS but also opens new direction for future research in related areas of Qing Dynasty art history, rare book trade, and the provenance of Chinese artefacts in Western collections.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Due to copyright issues this thesis is not available for viewing.
• Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CD Diplomatics. Archives. Seals > CD921 Archives; C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CT Biography; D History General and Old World > DS Asia
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > History of Art
• Supervisor's Name: Pearce, Professor Nick and Roodt, Dr. Christa
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-85216
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 18 Jun 2025 15:33
• Last Modified: 18 Jun 2025 15:34
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85216
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85216