Lam Qua (Chinese, 1801-1860) Portrait of Silas Weir Lewis (1819-1888) of Philadelphia, PA, circa 1840

Oil on canvas, retains extensive typed label from Child's Gallery, Inc. Boston, which states "Inscribed on original stretcher: S. Weir Lewis of Philadelphia by Lamqua, a Chinese Artist," carved and gilded Chinese frame.

9 1/2 in. x 8 1/8 in (sight)

Note

S. Weir Lewis was the third son of successful Philadelphia China Trade commission merchant, John Frederick Lewis (1791-1858) and Eliza Mower (1788-1865). S. Wier Lewis was named after his father's business partner, Silas E. Weir, who died in 1828. According to Charles Joseph Cohen, Rittenhouse Square: Past and Present (1922), S. Weir was first sent to Canton by his father at the age of 17 as supercargo on the ship Plymouth. He made later voyages in the same role aboard the Commerce and the Levant. Lewis retired at an early age with a fortune. He served as director, treasurer or secretary of a number of Philadelphia benevolent institutions, and as Direrctor of the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank. Silas Weir Lewis married Caroline Amanda Kalbfus (1831-1891) in 1850.

Literature and Exhibition

Carl L. Crossman, The China Trade:Export Paintings, Furniture, Silver and Other Objects (1972) p. 33, fig. 23.
Exhibited: "Philadelphians And The China Trade, 1784-1844," Philadelphia Museum of Art, July 1-September 23, 1984 and published in catalog of the same name, p. 172-178, illustrated, p. 173 fig. 174.

Provenance

Ex. Collection of Alford P. Rudnick (1906-1994).