Image size: 20.1 x 15.0 cm
This studio photograph depicts two Chinese women positioned on either side of a pedestal. In the late 19th century several Chinese photographers opened studios in Singapore and the Malay States. Having one's picture taken in a studio was a popular pastime for those who could afford if from the late 1800s to the 1960s. These portraits were often hung in homes, or sent to friends and family.Those having their picture taken were able to express themselves through what they wore and the props and backgrounds they chose. After taking the photo, the studio owners could further enhance the image by drawing or painting on the photograph. In this photograph, both women are wearing black samfus and black leather shoes. Their hair is tied back in a bun. Their austere clothing and hairstyle suggest they could be amah or majies, women who worked in domestic service. Their photograph has been enhanced by the drawing of gold jewellery (earrings and rings), which was common among subjects who sought to present an image of comfort and wealth in the images, some of which would have been sent back home to relatives in other countries.
