The leisurely life of noblewomen during the Qing Dynasty is something many aspired to during that time.
The Qing Dynasty was the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history. In the 46th year of the Wanli era, the Aisin Gioro clan led an army to conquer the Central Plain and established the Qing feudal regime for over 200 years.
When Westerners brought cameras to China at the end of the Qing Dynasty, the lives of people under this regime were captured in the most authentic way. Thousands of photographs from that era are still considered a valuable resource for future generations.
The luxurious lives of the noble class were what most people desired at that time. They rarely engaged in heavy labor at home and lived in comfort, surrounded by servants.
A noble Manchu woman riding a donkey. The two men in the photo are her attendants.
The woman in the front is a concubine of a government official. The person behind her is her servant.
A gathering of noblewomen enjoying tea and casual conversation. The two standing are their servants.
Wedding photo of bride Zeng Jifen and groom Xie Zhongfang. Zeng Jifen was the daughter of a prominent official at the end of the Qing Dynasty, while Xie Zhongfang was a powerful general.
Three wealthy young ladies enjoying foreign wine.
A Hakka woman holding a book in her left hand, a common pose for photographs in the late Qing Dynasty.
An image of a girl from a noble background. Although taken in a photography studio, the setting is intricately arranged to resemble a real garden. The embroidery patterns on her clothing are very delicate, reflecting her family’s financial capability.
A noble Manchu woman getting her hair styled by a servant.
The seated woman is the mother of Emperor Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty and also the last emperor of feudal China. The girl on the left is her servant, attending to her while she drinks tea.
