Group of Chinese Women

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 number2015.67.85

Signednone

InscribedPrinted captions on paper, attached to mount verso, in black type: "Group of / Chinese Women. / The gentler sex are all particularly / fond of adorning their heads with arti- / ficial flowers, which the Chinese are / remarkably dexterous in making--or / representations of insects, birds, &c., or / ornaments of gold or silver, or precious / stones, or even of lead, tin, or wood / according to their class--jade is a favor- / ite material for ornaments.-- / [¶] Ear-rings are also very generally / worn, and often the entire savings of a / Chinese woman are thus expended-- / they carry their fortunes on their / persons. --Custom requires that wi- / dows connected with wealthy families / should abstain from an excessive use of / head ornaments during the period allot- / ed for mourning."

Markingsnone

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Terms

DescriptionHand colored image of two women seated in front of screen, holding hands, and dressed in colorfully adorned garments. Another woman stands behind them in profile.

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