The export paintings, once popular in the 19th century, depicted the daily lives and customs of the Chinese people. Subjects included keeping of silk worms, tea production, and porcelain manufacturing processes, alongside scenes of Thirteen Hongs of Canton, with the restrained elegance of noblewomen during the Qing dynasty. These works were highly sought-after souvenirs among travellers. These commercial paintings from over a century ago were originally created by artists in Thirteen Hongs of Canton. Their watercolours and oil paintings were later reproduced by Gangcai masters using enamel, resulting in a version of those painting using 20th century Gangcai painted porcelain. This process effectively revived those historical paintings.