Description

An uncommon hand-tinted carte de visite depicting a Himalayan woman wearing a distinctive fur-trimmed conical headdress and layered winter garments, while holding a blue-and-white ceramic mug. Her attire reflects the practical clothing traditions of high-altitude Himalayan communities, where heavy woolen wraps and fur-lined headwear provided protection against severe mountain climates. The delicate hand-coloring, particularly visible in the sitter’s complexion and the blue decoration of the vessel, enhances the visual appeal of this otherwise monochrome albumen photograph. Although the photographer remains unidentified, the portrait is an evocative example of nineteenth-century studio photography documenting the diverse peoples and traditional dress of the Himalayan region.

Condition

Overall good condition for its age. Moderate fading and age-related toning to the albumen print with scattered surface soiling and small emulsion abrasions. Original hand tinting remains visible. The CDV mount shows light edge wear and minor handling marks but is structurally sound.

References

Edwards, Elizabeth. Raw Histories: Photographs, Anthropology and Museums. Oxford: Berg, 2001.

Hannavy, John, ed. Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography. New York: Routledge, 2008.

Newhall, Beaumont. The History of Photography. 5th ed. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1982.

Pinney, Christopher. Camera Indica: The Social Life of Indian Photographs. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997.

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