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)
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
On View
Not on viewCollections
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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