RARE AND FINE CHINESE EXPORT MINIATURE WATERCOLOR PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN JOHN DUKE OF SALEM
Circa 1809
Attributed to Spoilum (Canton, active 1765-1805). Bust portrait of John Duke, dressed in white stock and a black jacket. Duke (1779-1864) was born in France and left for the East Indies, where he was apparently marooned and picked up by an American ship. By 1803 he was living in Salem, Massachusetts. He became captain of the ship Pilgrim some time before 1812. He sailed for many years, making several voyages aboard vessels owned by John Gardner of Salem, and purportedly earned considerable wealth. He and his wife had ten children and lived in Westminster and Andover, Massachusetts, and Hillsborough and Dunbarton, New Hampshire.
Oval, 2.5" x 2" sight. Framed 4.25" x 3.5".
Provenance:
Held within the Duke family and purchased by a direct descendant. Family history claims the portrait was brought back on the brig "Pilgrim" from a voyage to Canton.

Notes:
Artist Spoilum is believed to have been the earliest oil painter in Canton. He painted portraits of merchants and sea captains in the Western style, at a cost of $10.

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