Table of contents:
- 1. Imperturbable Chinese woman
- 2. Lotus feet
- 3. Chatterboxes
- 4. Formosa
- 5. The bride
- 6. Lotus feet
- 7. Shy young lady
- 8. Cute Tatar
- 9. Simply beautiful
- 10. Mother and child
- 11. Empress Cixi
- 12. Noble ladies
- 13. Youngest daughter
- 14. Manchu girls
- 15. Three Chinese women
- 16. Classic hairstyle
- 17. The Manchu bride
- 18. Headdress of the bride
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The 19th century in China was a period of urbanization, industrialization, protectionism and the flourishing of colonialism, and also a time of unprecedented achievements in art and culture. But against the background of all social changes, a woman has always remained a woman - sweet and charming. In our review, rare photos of Chinese women. All pictures were taken at the end of the 19th century.
1. Imperturbable Chinese woman
The equanimity of Chinese women in any situation, as well as how they do not show emotions in public, has long been a well-known fact.
2. Lotus feet
In this 1868 photograph, two Chinese women are sitting side by side. One had bandaged legs since childhood, the other has not. The difference in leg size is incredible. The tiny shoe that stands against the wall looks like it was made for a small child, not a grown woman.
3. Chatterboxes
A situation that is typical for any corner of the world and for any time: two ladies sat down to chat a little.
4. Formosa
An 1871 photograph shows a young woman from Taiwan who was known by the pseudonym "Formosa" in the 19th century.
5. The bride
The tradition of seeing before the wedding is one of the most widespread traditions of human society in any country. The bride stands with her face covered as the groom was not allowed to see her before the wedding.
6. Lotus feet
The woman sitting in this picture has the so-called " lotus feet"which was bandaged from early childhood to deform and reduce her foot. In Chinese culture of that time, the size of a girl's feet was just as important (if not more) than her appearance. To successfully marry, women mutilated themselves since childhood.
7. Shy young lady
The woman in this photo seems to be frightened by the photographer.
8. Cute Tatar
The pretty girl in this photo is most likely Tatar or Manchu.
9. Simply beautiful
At that time, everyone wanted to acquire a boy heir.
10. Mother and child
At first glance, it seems that the young Chinese woman is leaning on the table, posing for a photo. However, it is possible that she did this to keep from falling. Women with bandages on their legs were later able to walk with difficulty.
11. Empress Cixi
Empress Dowager Cixi was a concubine before becoming the most powerful woman in China. Her reign lasted 47 years - from 1861 to 1908.
12. Noble ladies
Judging by the luxurious suits, these young ladies are most likely of noble birth. This status is reinforced by tiny shoes peeking out from under the girl on the left (that is, she has "lotus legs").
13. Youngest daughter
A woman carrying her child on her back has clearly not been bandaged since childhood. If she was from Guangdong Province (Canton), then this is evidence that she was the youngest daughter of a poor family.
14. Manchu girls
These girls seem to be fortunate enough to have been born at a time when leg bandaging was no longer a tradition. In Manchuria, this custom did not take root among the majority of the population. Interestingly, by imperial decree, bandaging was prohibited in Manchuria in 1644.
15. Three Chinese women
In this 1868 photograph, three Chinese women in traditional dress meet to chat. Chinese women's clothing was considered ugly and modest by Western standards even at that time.
16. Classic hairstyle
Chinese women in the 19th century spent a lot of time styling their hairstyles.
17. The Manchu bride
A Manchu bride in a wedding dress was photographed in 1871.
18. Headdress of the bride
A photograph taken in Beijing circa 1867 shows a luxuriously dressed Manchu bride barely holding a huge headdress on her head.
The Chinese have always been original. Now they grow designer vegetables and fruits in the form of figurines of famous personalities.
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