Chin-Chin

Attributed to John Thomson (Scottish, 1837 - 1921)

Dateca. 1870

MediumAlbumen print

DimensionsImage and sheet: 3 7/16 × 2 1/8 inches (8.69 × 5.41 cm)
Mount: 4 1/8 × 2 7/16 inches (10.49 × 6.15 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Hall Family Foundation

Object number2015.67.72

Signednone

InscribedPrinted captions on paper, attached to mount verso, in black type: "Chin-Chin. / THE Salutations in China are regu- / lated with studied nicety, according / to the relative positions in society. -- / The grasp of friendship common in / the civilised world is unknown. Gen- / tlemen or acquaintances of equal rank / salute each other by placing the fin- / gers of one hand over the fist of the / other, until the thumbs meet. Stand- / a little apart, they raise the hands / gently up and down once or twice as / if shaking their own hands, uttering / a few complimentary terms, Ladies / interlace their fingers, or bending the / knuckles of both hands place them / together, with the thumbs touching / and move both hands up and down as / in the case of gentleman--sometimes / kneeling on one or both knees, and at / the same time exchanging mutual ex- / pressions of good wishes or congratula- / tions."

Markingsnone

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Terms

DescriptionHand colored image of two men standing outside facing one another and smiling with hands clasped. They both have one long braid that stretches down their backs.

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