Photography Manchu Women by the Memorial Arch Pailou

A black-and-white photograph showing Manchu women of the upper social class in front of a pailou memorial arch 牌樓. Manchu women can be recognised by the typical hairstyle erbatou 二把頭, which consists of two figs attached to each side of the head. The hairstyles are reinforced with an additional wire frame and extensions and adorned with various decorations – from flowers to jewellery. The younger wears a white lined robe, while the older wears a black robe with a padded majia 馬甲 vest. This combination was often the informal dress of Manchu women. Vests were worn on various occasions. The everyday vest was simpler, more modest in decoration and made of less prestigious materials. The clothes are lined, which means that the photograph was taken in a cooler season.

The memorial pailou 牌樓 is a traditional architectural element in China. It usually commemorates an important person or serves as an entrance to important places.

The photograph is the 160th of 449 photographs of Beijing and its surroundings in the album of Ivan Skušek Jr., purchased during his stay in Beijing (1914–1920). In the handwritten inventory of the album, the photograph is referred to as Mandschufrauen auf der Strasse. It also appears in other photo collections. (DZ, MV)