China: a Manchu lady with her maid standing beside a bronze burner, Beijing. Photograph by John Thomson, 1869.
- Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
- Date:
- 1869
- Reference:
- 19672i
- Pictures
About this work
Description
A Manchu lady stands next to a bronze burner with her elderly maid. The lady wears a yunjian (cloud collar). The lady gazes full face at the camera, while the maid's head is turned slightly away. The maid holds the lady's water-pipe in her right hand, while her left hand is held by her mistress. Smoking was a popular pastime among Manchu women, not only to divert boredom, but because it was considered to be a sociable activity. Although many people smoked opium, the water-pipe was more widely available; it was also a more soothing choice on a hot summer's day. The same subject as Thomson's negative number 711a, probably one half of a stereo pair.
Publication/Creation
1869
Physical description
1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion
Contributors
Lettering
Manchu lady and her maid
Bears Thomson's negative number: "711"
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. 41 (reproduced)
Reference
Wellcome Collection 19672i
Type/Technique
Languages
Subjects
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed storesBy appointment Manual request Note