Child’s hat in the form of a fish dragon, 1850–1900

            China
Cotton, silk, embroidery and gilded thread

The creative energy of many Chinese mothers in the 1800s was channelled into making headwear for their children, especially their sons. Embellished caps were worn on auspicious occasions such as New Year, but could also be protective talismans. They are embroidered and appliqued with extraordinary imagery, like this dragon with horns, fish scales, whiskers and bulging eyes, sewn with a long tail at the back.*

Everyday life
By the 1850s, China’s population reached a staggering 450 million. Some ninety per cent of people lived a basic life, negotiating the devastation caused by conflicts and natural disasters. Average life expectancy was just forty years old. Despite these struggles, cities rapidly developed as displaced yet resilient people migrated for safety, work and food.
A growing body of entrepreneurs developed businesses using new technologies and materials, some even taking over state roles. Handicrafts were industrialised and further commercialised. Wealthy people’s homes and fashion reflected these political, cultural, technological and environmental changes, which included interactions with foreign communities*

From the exhibition

China’s Hidden Century
(May 2023 – October 2023 )

China’s hidden century
Manchu armies from the northeast of China overthrew the Ming dynasty, founding the Qing dynasty and ruling China from 1644 to 1912. By 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and established one of the most prosperous empires in world history. In 1912 imperial rule collapsed. The dynasty’s final years were challenged by natural disasters, internal uprisings and foreign invasions.Despite this, the nineteenth century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity, and of political, social and technological innovation, as people across China lived resourceful and resilient lives. 
In 1796, the Qing ruled over one-third of all humanity and was one of the most prosperous empires in world history. By 1912 it had collapsed, bringing an end to some 2,000 years of dynastic rule and giving way to a modern Chinese republic. The Manchu dynasty that ruled at that point was challenged by internal uprisings and foreign invasion. Despite this, the 19th century was an era of extraordinary cultural creativity and of political, social and technological innovation.
In the shadow of these events lie stories of remarkable individuals – at court, in armies, among artists, in booming cosmopolitan cities and on the global stage – which this exhibition brings to life. An impressive 300 objects and paintings from 30 lenders are arranged into five themes: the court; the military; artists; urban life; global Qing; reformers and revolutionaries.
[*British Musem]

Taken in the British Museum

Some rights reserved

Taken on: August 4, 2023

Tags:

04.08.23

London

Bloomsbury

British Museum

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China’s Hidden Century

Manchu

Ming dynasty

Qing dynasty

Chinese republic

Manchu dynasty

Empress Dowager Cixi

Han-Chinese

White Lotus Rebellion

Xinjiang wars

Taiping Civil War

Qing China

International imperialism

Opium Wars

Sino-French War

Sino-Japanese War

Boxer War

Shanghai

Guangzhou

Canton

international trade

Europe

the Americas

Japan

Russia

Parsi merchants

South Asia

Southeast Asia

Treaty of Nanjing

revolution

emperor Puyi

Everyday life

cities

entrepreneurs

Handicrafts

industrialised

fashion

political

cultural

technological changes

environmental changes

foreign communities

Child’s hat in the form of a fish dragon

China

Cotton

silk

embroidery

gilded thread

Embellished caps

New Year

protective talismans

dragon

horns

fish scales

whiskers

bulging eyes

sewn

long tail « less

Sets appears in: • Camden • Artworks more » • Galleries & Museums • British Museum « less

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