Images(6)

Chine

Author Admiral François-Edmond Pâris (1806 - 1893)

Editor Arthus-Bertrand (1803-)

Publisher Ministère de la Marine (France)

Printer Bouchard-Huzard

Date1841-1843

Object number00018574

NameFolio

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 550 x 360 mm

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with the assistance of the Louis Vuitton Trust Fund

Terms

DescriptionPart of a folio compiled by François-Edmond Pâris titled Essai sur la construction navale des peuples extra-Européens. Comprised of his notes, sketches and naval architectural drawings of non-European watercraft, based on observations during three circumnavigations of the globe on the ASTROLABE (1826-1829), LA FAVORITE (1829-1833) and ARTEMISE (1837-1841). This section, titled 'Chine', comprises pages 57-60 for the region. It refers to plates 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 - 'Bateau de douane', 'Jonque employee au transport du sel', 'Bateau pecheur', 'Bateau pilote', 'Bateau servant au transport du the' and 'Caboteurs chinois echoues pres de Macao'. The entire folio consists of two volumes in thirteen parts, divided by geographical region. 156 pages of text describe the construction and use of watercraft in various non-European countries and European colonies. The text is accompanied by 132 plates of lithographs of the watercraft in use and engravings of their naval architecture.HistoryPâris was the first European 'nautical ethnographer'. His maritime ethnography of indigenous water craft is unique and ranks as one of the greatest of all works on naval architecture. The Pâris collection exemplifies the spirit of scientific enquiry and classification of indigenous artifacts into the European world view that propelled the great European voyages of the 18th and early 19th centuries. They hark back to the classificatory impulse of the Enlightenment. Yet unlike many other images and accounts of Indigenous cultures that emphasised the superiority of the European, Paris's work shows an empathy with Indigenous cultures and their inventive solutions to seafaring problems. Pâris's work has important connections with Australian and Pacific history. He visited Sydney and Hobart on each of his three Pacific voyages. His first work began as a young officer aboard France's last and greatest scientific voyage of discovery - Dumont d'Urville's ASTROLABE expedition from 1826-1829, which spent considerable time surveying and documenting the southern and western Australian coastline. Pâris's images, plans and models of non-European vessels had an important influence on the development of the French Musee National de la Marine of which he was curator from 1871 to 1893. Some of the craft in Pâris's plans and sketches have disappeared from use, whilst others are still made today in the same traditional manner, demonstrating an important historical continuity. SignificanceFrançois-Edmond Pâris's portfolio of meticulous naval plans, vibrant drawings and accompanying text on non-European vessels provides valuable historical information about both Indigenous watercraft and the people who made and worked them during the early nineteenth century.

The Essai was a limited edition and few copies survive.