Peking, Pechili province, China: a Muslim butcher. Photograph by John Thomson, 1869.

  • Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
Date:
1869
Reference:
19692i
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About this work

Description

A plump, smiling butcher working at his stall, with various carcasses behind him. The same man as shown in Thomson's negative number 721. Bowls and dishes on a chopping table. A dog prowls in the foreground. Throughout the Qing, Beijing’s butcher shops were run by the Chinese and Muslims. Muslim butchers, in particular, were known for their good-quality meat and carving skills. The man in this photograph had a shop in the Qianmen area. According to Thomson, he had a happy, smiling face, and stood behind a small wooden counter 'encircled by carcasses of sheep, ghastly heads, and entrails'

Publication/Creation

1869

Physical description

1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion : stereograph

Contributors

Lettering

Mahometan butcher, Peking Bears Thomson's negative number: "720"

Notes

This is one of a collection of original glass negatives made by John Thomson. The negatives, made between 1868 and 1872, were purchased from Thomson by Sir Henry Wellcome in 1921

References note

China through the lens of John Thomson, 1868-1872, Beijing: Beijing World Art Museum, 2009, p. 61 (reproduced)

Reference

Wellcome Collection 19692i

Type/Technique

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Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    		By appointmentManual request

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