One King and Three Emperors. Portugal, China and Macao in the Time of king John V

From left to right:

Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722)
China, early 18th century
Painting on paper
Beijing, Palace Museum, inv. 故G00006396

Yongzheng Emperor (1723–1735)
China, 18th century
Painting on paper
Beijing, Palace Museum, inv. 故G00006431

Qianlong Emperor (1736–1795)
China, early 18th Century
Painting on paper
Beijing, Palace Museum, inv. 故G00006464

'Europeans' Vase, China, Jiangxi province,Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–1795), Polychrome porcelain, Lisbon, Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida, inv. FMA 4500

This rare piece distinguishes itself by the figures holding the vase, showing two European with one knee on the ground, dressed in Western attire with tailcoats and tricorns in the style worn by nobles in the 18th century. These European are represented in an attitude of paying tribute to the emperor (in this case Qianlong) kneeling and minimized before the huge jar.

Sedan chair France, 1775–1800, Wood and bronze, Lisbon, Museu Nacional dos Coches, inv. V0069

The chairs were so useful for moving around the narrow streets of towns and cities, that kings, princes, ambassadors and nobles began to travel in them from the 18th century. It is possible that the ambassador Alexandre de Metelo travelled in a similar sedan chair during parts of his journey through the hinterlands of the Chinese empire to Beijing, to visit Emperor Yongzheng in 1727.

Model of Portuguese ship, Portugal, late 18th century, Wood, Lisbon, Museu de Marinha, inv. MM 05208

Ships built at the royal shipyard in Bahia (Brazil), such as the one depicted here, were regularly employed in the Carreira da Índia from the seventeenth century on. The round trip from Lisbon-Macao-Lisbon could be completed in seventeen to eighteen months.

8 ‘reales’ coins (face), Mexico/Bolivia, 1788–1808, Silver Lisbon, Banco de Portugal – Museu do Dinheiro, inv. 9002801600

8 ‘reales’ coins (crown), Mexico/Bolivia, 1788–1808, Silver Lisbon, Banco de Portugal – Museu do Dinheiro, inv. 9002801600

Due to China's disinterest in European products and manufactures, about 90% of European ships loads to Chinese markets consisted of silver, especially reales de a ocho.

Yuanbao of 5 taels, China, Yunnan province, late 19th century early 20th century, Mexican silver , Lisbon, Banco de Portugal – Museu do Dinheiro, inv. 42400465190

Silver, traded by weight, was in high demand and had a high purchasing power, playing a crucial role in China’s foreign trade. During the 18th and 19th century, sycee silver ingots could take the form of cakes, ingots or saddles, like this late specimen.

Silk swatches from the Portuguese royal silk factory Portugal, mid-18th century, Silk and paper, Lisbon, Arquivo Histórico do Tribunal de Contas [Portugal], Cartório, avulsos, bx. 83

In 1734 the royal silk factory was founded, with the express support of King João V in the form of tax exemptions and production monopoly rights. These sheets displaying samples of silk fabrics were a kind of buyer’s catalog. European merchants also used pattern books with designs reflecting 18th century European taste to place orders for silk woven in China.

Armorial Tea Canister, China, Qing dynasty (1644- 1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722), Pewter with gilt inlay, Lisbon, Coleção RA, inv. 1064 A

The fashion for drinking tea in Europe stimulated a need for a variety of tea drinking wares and tea canisters became an essential part of the equipment needed for serving tea. The tea canister was used to contain tea leaves, protecting them from light and humidity and consequently, preserving their aromatic qualities and freshness.

Pair of Cups and Saucers, China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Yongzheng period (1723–1735), c. 1735, Polychrome porcelain, Lisbon/London, Jorge Welsh Works of Art

Working for a wide range of export markets, Chinese potters became accustomed to adapting to the specific demands of their customers. Porcelain with western shapes and decorations became particularly popular in the 18th century. The majority of these designs were copied after prints or drawings that were often supplied by the customers

Catholic church in Beijing, China, Macao, c. 1729, Drawing on paper Lisbon, Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino, CARm. China, D.758

This drawing constitute a representation of the interior of one of the churches of the Portuguese Padroado in Beijing, the church of St. Joseph or Dongtang (“eastern church”), whose first building recedes to 1655.

Tea Canister and Cover with portrait of St. Ignatius Loyola, China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–1795), c. 1745, Painted and gilded porcelain, Lisbon, Museum of São Roque, inv. MSR. AO. 42

This tea canister integrates a rare group of porcelain pieces belonging to the Museum of São Roque, depicting Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. This type of decoration sought to reproduce the European prints brought by missionaries, which were much admired by Emperor Kangxi.

JAPY FRÈRES & CIE (1777–1826), ‘Elephant’ mantle clock, France and China, 1777–1795, Gilded bronze and enamel, glass, steel and brass, Lisbon, Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida, inv. FMA 4164 /429 REL

In 18th-century China, European watches gained some success, especially in the imperial court. Much of this technology had been introduced by the missionary-scientists of the Society of Jesus.

Model of the Macao Senate according to Aomen Jilüe (1751), Lisbon, 20th century, Wood and cardboard, Lisbon, Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau, I.P, inv. 3353

This model of the Macao Senate is a reproduction of a drawing in the Chinese book Brief Monograph of Macau (1751). As it turns out, the Macao Senate building has a typical Chinese architecture, which has prevailed in the city until the mid or late
18th century.

Letter form Zhang Prefect of Xiangshan, about the embassy of Alexandre Meneses, China, Xiangshan district, 1726, Manuscript on paper, Évora, Biblioteca Pública, codex CXVI/2-6 Chapa Sínica, doc. n. 1, fl. 452

Ceremonial Moro armour, Philippines, Mindanao, 19th century Copper, metal and silver alloy, Lisbon, Coleção Francisco Capelo

Islam was present in the Philippines before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, and its influence was visible, for example, on clothing and armament. Macao maintained maritime trade with the Philippines, notably with Manila, between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Opium pipe, China, 19th century (?), Blackwood (?), jade and white copper (baitong), Lisbon, former José Vicente Jorge collection

Opium has been known in China since antiquity, initially administered as a medicinal plant. Its cultivation is thought to have started during the Tang dynasty (618–906), given that by the Song period (960–1279) there were already recommendations relating to its preparation and properties. From the 18th century onwards, some European powers were enriched by the opium trade from India to China.

Carrafe, China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722), late 17th century, early 18th century, White glazed porcelain with relifef decoration, Lisbon, former José Vicente Jorge collection
This exceptional piece belonged to the collection of José Vicente Jorge, an illustrious representative of the Macanese community. translator, teacher and mediator in in the decision-making of the Portuguese administration at Macao.

Mandarin winter hat (7th rank), China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), mid 19th century (?) Felt, silk and gilded metal, Lisbon, private collection

This hat from a 7th rank civilian mandarin (one of the lowest in the hierarchy of imperial civil bureaucracy during Qing dynasty), is similar to that used by the Macao’s Senate Procuradores (who were equated with 7th rank civilian mandarin) in their visits to China or at the reception to senior Chinese provincial or imperial officials in Macao.

Figure of a European Gentleman, China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–1795), Polychrome terracotta on bamboo stand, Lisbon/London, Jorge Welsh Works of Art

Unfired clay statuettes of this type were produced in
China throughout the 18th and until the early 19th century and were especially appreciated by European visitors who would take them home as souvenirs.

VO QUA (WU QUA?), Portrait of Francisco Xavier Roquete, China, Macao, 19th century (c. 1833), Oil on canvas, Macao, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Macau

Francisco Xavier Roquete (d. Calcutta, 1817) arrived in Macao in the second half of the 18th century and made considerable fortune, trading in East Asia. He donated his fortune to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Macau, becoming the most generous benefactor in the history of that institution.