In 1711, the English East India Company established a factory in Canton (Guangzhou), marking a pivotal moment in trade relations between Britain and China. This trading post facilitated the direct importation of Chinese goods such as tea, silk, and porcelain, significantly impacting British consumer culture. The establishment of the factory also laid the groundwork for future economic interactions and conflicts between the two nations, shaping the course of colonial history.

The establishment of the English East India Company's factory at Canton in 1711 increased the availability of Eastern goods. This influx enriched poetic descriptions of material culture and global trade, influencing poets like Pope and his contemporaries to explore themes of commerce and exoticism in their works.