Sales Room at a Foreign Merchant Shop in Yokohama Woodblock printed triptych by Gountei Sadahide
[Japan] Fascinating woodblock print by Gountei Sadahide (1807-1878 or 79) who was also known by the names Utagawa Sadahide, Hashimoto Sadahide and Gyokuransai Sadahide. He went to the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris and exhibited some prints there. Famous for his Yokohama prints and maps, his work, like this one, is usually of very high quality. The right panel of this triptych shows Japanese customers negotiating with the Western merchants. There are large books on display and an elephant outside. A Chinese man is standing at the far fight. The centre panel shows the bookkeepers looking at the numbers as well as some large bottles and containers behind them. The left panel shows people preparing meat and poultry. Interestingly, the only person who is described is the lady washing at lower right. The label states, 'Black lady washing'. The man at the lower left who is preparing a pheasant or duck also appears to be of African origin. Each panel stamped Gountei Sadahide and with the publisher's seal.
Edo. Sanoya Kihei. 1861.
Each panel 36.9 x 25.3cm.
In very good condition. Some age wear at edges and corners. Some minor spotting (mostly on lower areas). Unbacked with nice bleedthrough. Unjoined. u33071009
