Peking, China: a seated Manchu lady wearing a coiffure. Photograph by John Thomson, 1869.
- Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
- Date:
- 1869
- Reference:
- 19682i
- Pictures
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Description
A woman with an elaborate hairstyle, wearing a yunjian (cloud collar), an embroidered jacket with long wide sleeves. She is seated, posed to the left, looking to the front, against a light-toned background. Thomson was fascinated by the different types of female coiffure in China. This coiffure worn by a married Manchu lady was a trademark Manchu hairstyle in the late Qing. It required the hair to be wrapped up in an elaborate triangular pattern around a wood, ivory or metal fillet fastened behind the head. When completed, a coiffure extended out at the back as well as to both sides. Flowers or tassels were often attached to the coiffure to make it more impressive
Publication/Creation
1869
Physical description
1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion
Contributors
Lettering
Manchu lady
Bears Thomson's negative number: "714"
References note
John Thomson, Illustrations of China and its people, London, 1873-4, vol IV, pl. VIII, fig. 18, "Manchu female coiffure"
China through the lens of John Thomson, 1868-1872, Beijing: Beijing World Art Museum, 2009, p. 29 (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 19682i
Type/Technique
Languages
Subjects
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed storesBy appointment Manual request Note