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Chinese Soldiers

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 number2015.67.74
Signednone
InscribedPrinted captions on paper, attached to mount verso, in black type: "Chinese Soldiers. / The only distinction in the dress of the / soldier is the band on the cuff and bottom / of the jacket, and the small colored patch / hanging down the back, which tells un- / der what Banner the individual serves.-- / Soldiers never wear arms accept when on / duty or on guard, and in China no civil- / ian is ever allowed to carry any weapons / offensive or defensive--a striking contrast / to their neighbours the Japanese, whose / formidable swords are cumbersome to the / wearer, and often dangerous to the peace- / ful citizen who is precluded from wear- / ing such apparently senseless badges of / a class."
Markingsnone
On View
Not on view
Collections
DescriptionHand colored image of Chinese soldier standing with one foot on concrete step while looking back over his left shoulder at the viewer. He head is wrapped in fabric and a colored strip of material hangs from the back of his jacket.
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