Print  Specifics: Type of print: Intaglio, steel engraving - Original antique print Year of printing: not indicated in the print - actual 1841 Artist: Thomas Allom Publisher: Fisher, Son & Co., London, Paris Condition: 1 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair). Dimensions: 8 x 10.5 inches (20 x 27 cm), including blank margins (borders) around the image. Paper weight: 2 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin) Reverse side: Blank An excerpt from the original narrative: Boudoir and Bed Chamber  of a Lady of Rank:  Every matron in the higher ranks is waited on by a number of handmaids, whose kindness and attentions contribute to enliven that portion of time which the mistress, in conformity with etiquette, must dedicate to the toilet, and pass in seclusion. Smoking is an indulgence at which female delicacy here feels no repugnance; and, while one hand is occupied holding the decorated pipe, the other is engaged in supporting a mirror of convenient size; a lady of the boudoir is sometimes busied in arranging her mistress's hair, introducing amidst the plaits and braids, either flowers, or jewels, or bright-coloured ribbons. The unmarried wear their hair in long tresses, two plaited tails depending from the back of the head; but after marriage the hair is all drawn back from the forehead, and fastened with bodkins of gold or silver on the crown, where a profusion of ornaments is customary.  Amongst the luxuries of the mandarin's lady, who is never unacquainted with literature, music occupies a prominent place ; and if her handmaids be not skilful in that delightful accomplishment, a female minstrel, whose sole profession consists in wandering from place to place, and beguiling, by her melody, the lingering hours of unoccupied life, is admitted to sing a favourite air, and accompany herself on the pepa, or four-stringed guitar. In every boudoir stands a cabinet filled with cosmetics, paint-pots, fans, little shoes, hair pencils, china bottles, &c no contrivance that ingenuity can suggest being omitted to produce that effect which constitutes in China the idea of beauty.   Eye-brows, thin, dark, and arched, are considered beautiful—these, art can form; a fair skin is so great an object of admiration, that the defects of nature in this respect are sought to be subdued by various applications; and, the contrast of the rose and the lily is produced by a very liberal use of the colour of the former. It is only a tribute to truth and justice—it is only an acknowledgment due  to  female  excellence  in China,  to  state, that when age has blanched the blush of youth—when time has thinned and frosted o'er the jetblack locks, and the race of life now is mid-way run, from that moment all vanity and ambition in dress are abandoned, and that care so anxiously bestowed upon heightening the personal charms of the mother, is transferred with a zeal as boundless to the decoration of the daughter.   The matron now puts on the plainest raiment, her hair is smoothed, and no flower, or gem, or ribbon employed to divert attention from its faded lustre—no vain effort made to conceal the approaches of old age; the respect that years command in China being then deemed a sufficient passport in society.  Whatever the principle may be on which this custom is rested and resorted to—whatever system of morals or philosophy may claim the merit of the institute, the wisdom of the practice, even excluding all considerations of innate affection or laudable generosity, would accord with a holier light than has hitherto shone upon China. Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy! Any print purchased from me may be returned for any (or no) reason for a full refund including all postage. Internet seller since 1998. Five-star service.