Nankow pass, Pechili province, China. Photograph by John Thomson, 1871.

  • Thomson, J. (John), 1837-1921.
Date:
1871
Reference:
19278i
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About this work

Description

A large archway over a road, with carved panels representing snakes and gods or demons. Houses are visible through the arch. The same structure as shown in Thomson's negative number 511, but a better negative. The Ancient Buddhist Arch at Juyong Guan is situated at the most important section of Nankou Pass. It was here that the Mongols first entered north China in the 13th century. This marble arch was built in 1345 during the Yuan dynasty under the Mongols, and decorated with carved figures taken from Indian myths

Publication/Creation

1871

Physical description

1 photograph : glass photonegative, wet collodion ; glass approximately 16.5 x 21.5 cm (6½ x 8½ in.)

Lettering

Arch in the Nankow pass Bears Thomson's negative number: "511a"

Notes

This is one of a collection of original glass negatives made by John Thomson. The negatives, made between 1868 and 1872, were purchased from Thomson by Sir Henry Wellcome in 1921

References note

John Thomson, Illustrations of China and its people, London, 1873-4, vol. IV, pl. XXIV, fig. 57. "The old arch, Nankow Pass"
China through the lens of John Thomson, 1868-1872, Beijing: Beijing World Art Museum, 2009, p. 74 (reproduced)

Reference

Wellcome Collection 19278i

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