Chitqua (also Chet-qua or Tan Chetqua) is the first Chinese artist to exhibit at the Royal Academy. He was listed as “sculptor” in the exhibition catalogue in London in 1770. Born around 1728 and died in 1796 in Canton (now: 廣州Guangzhou), he was a clay modeller who modelled unfired clay portrait figures for European people, he travelled from China via ships of the British East India Company. He left Canton for London in 1769, where he received a high reputation for his modelling technique. His success was not a coincidence but a consequence of the Chinese Taste— one of the art styles in eighteenth century London society following the British East India Company's significant expansions in Asia since its establishment in 1600. This dissertation starts from the overseas experiences of Chitqua to centre on two main strands. The first aims to establish a systematic catalogue of all the clay figures made by Chitqua and other Chinese modellers. Then, to review and clarify their techniques and objects systematically. The second is an investigation of the breadth and range of these figures related to Sino-European art, to rediscover the aesthetic value of Chitqua's works, and their social and economic value among eighteenth century global exchange, and stylistic transformations during the Early Modern Period.