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China - Shanghai - Woman with bound feet reclining on divan
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China - Shanghai - Woman with bound feet reclining on divan
China - Shanghai - Woman with bound feet reclining on divan. Foot binding was the custom of binding the feet of young girls painfully tight to prevent further growth. The tiny narrow feet were considered beautiful and to make a womans movements more feminine and dainty. Although reformers challenged the practice, it was not until the early 20th century that foot binding began dying out. Foot-binding resulted in lifelong disabilities for most of its subjects, and some elderly Chinese women still survive today with disabilities related to their bound feet. Date: circa 1910s
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Media ID 11584667
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Bind Binding Bound Concept Dainty Elegance Feet Feminine Foot Lies Lying Narrow Practise Reclines Reclining Relaxing Resting Shanghai Size Tiny Tradition
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in the bustling city of Shanghai during the early 1910s in China's Republican era, depicts a woman in traditional Chinese attire, reclining gracefully on a divan with her bound feet in full view. Foot binding was a deeply rooted custom in Chinese culture, where young girls had their feet painfully bound to prevent further growth. The resulting tiny, narrow feet were considered a symbol of beauty, femininity, and elegance. The woman in the photograph seems to be lost in thought as she reads a text with an introspective expression. Her bound feet, although causing lifelong disabilities for most women, were a testament to the enduring tradition that shaped Chinese society for centuries. The practice, which began to face opposition from reformers, was not fully eradicated until the early 20th century. Despite the passage of time, there are still elderly Chinese women who bear the consequences of this ancient custom. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history and complex traditions that have shaped Chinese culture, offering a glimpse into the past while highlighting the resilience and adaptability of its people.
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