Photography Sedan Chair for Officials

A black-and-white photograph showing the official litter guanjiao 官轎. The wooden frame is covered with a round black cover that covers the roof and the two side windows. The first records and images of the use of litters date back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220 ), while the practice lasted into the late 19th century. In addition to official and private litters, there were also public ones. In fact, the transport service started with litters. In Hong Kong, for example, it was the only means of public transport until 1888. So-called public litters, minjiao 民轎 were made of wood, mostly bamboo, and were uncurtained. When carrying officials, the wooden frame was surrounded by silk curtains or sheets, obscuring the official’s view. A litter was usually shouldered by a group of two to four men.

The photograph is the 138th 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 Mandarin-Sänfte. (DZ, MV)