A handful of these are known (another is in the Peabody Essex Collection) and this 2ft 1in (63cm) example was unusually complete with its central red funnel flanked by twin lidded compartments and the top lifting to reveal further pockets of storage.
Paddle-wheel ships were used in China as early as the 5th century and ‘sidewheelers’ such as this were used during the First Opium War (1839-42) and for transport on the Pearl River in the early 20th century.
Estimated at £2000-4000, the model was part of a European private collection offered by Duke’s on the recommendation of Thomas Woodham-Smith, the former director of Mallett who was instrumental in putting together the collection for a client through Mallett and other London dealers.
The sale took place on February 18.
