Amoy (Xiamen), Fukien province, China: a rock incised with an inscription. Photograph by John Thomson, 1870/1871.
- Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
- Date:
- 1871
- Reference:
- 18962i
- Pictures
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Description
Incised Chinese inscriptions on a tall smooth rock-face by the side of a stretch of water. Another smaller rock to the right hand side. A man sculling in a boat in front of the rock. The hills by the harbour of Xiamen, on the island of Gulangyu, are crowned with a series of conspicuous rocks. The rock in the foreground is engraved with inscriptions connected with the area's history. Many people believed the rocks were closely linked to local Feng-shui, so they revered them greatly, trusting to the rocks to bring good fortune to the port. The most prominent one, known as Riguang Rock or 'Sunshine Rock', was allegedly given its name by a local hero, the anti-Qing Zheng Chenggong: it may be the rock shown in the distance.
Publication/Creation
1871.
Physical description
1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion : stereograph ; glass approximately 10.5 x 21.5 cm (4 x 8 in.)
Contributors
Lettering
Rock inscriptions Amoy view in Amoy 1871
Bears Thomson's negative number: "355"
References note
John Thomson, Illustrations of China and its people, London 1873-74, vol. p.
China through the lens of John Thomson, 1868-1872, Beijing: Beijing World Art Museum, 2009, p. 103 (reproduced)
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
Reference
Wellcome Collection 18962i
Type/Technique
Languages
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed storesBy appointment Manual request Note