Beauty old Postcards From Early China
  • About
  • French Postcards
  • German Postcards
  • English Postcards
  • Japanese Postcards
  • Different poses on the postcards
    • Reclining on a bench
    • Standing
    • Sit and face to right side
  • Detail of the Chinese Beauty
    • Make up
    • Manchurian Hair Styles
    • High Collars
    • Bound Feet
  • Hidden Clues in Postcards
    • Floor Coverings
    • Cups in Postcards
    • Clocks in Postcards
    • Things Held in the Hands >
      • Handkerchiefs
      • Flowers
      • Fans
      • Books
      • Mirrors in the Pictures
  • Ethnic Minorities in China
    • Miao Ethnic Group
    • Bai Ethnic Group
  • The Stories Behind the Postcards
  • Help us to Translate
  • Postcards for Sale
  • Free Postcard with a story
  • Go to
    • Image Gallery
    • Hairpin Gallery
  • The Hairpin Museum
  • 100 Beauties in China in 1900s

Beauty lying on a couch or chaise longue

This is a very typical pose in images from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. There are different kinds of couch and sofa. Some of them are traditional Chinese carved wooden seats with no upholstery. However, many of them are western Chaise longue* with leather or tapestry upholstery. This kind of pose originated in the studios of western photographers. As pieces of furniture the couch or chaise longue became increasingly popular in middle class households and this is reflected in their appearance in photographic studios.
The beauties hold different kinds of things in their hands e.g. fans, handkerchiefs or a book. Next to the couch there are typically a potted plant in classic Victorian style. The composition of the photograph reflects on the photographer's design and vision of how the postcard should look.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaise_longue
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.