Object statement
Photograph, black and white silver gelatin print, 'Old man at a Chinese New Year stall, Liulichang', by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946
New Year markets began in the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911), and were held from the first to the 15th of the first lunar month. At their busiest there were more than 1000 stalls. Going to the New Year market was an important pastime in Old Peking. The New Year markets ceased trading in 1964 but resumed in 2001.
This is one of a large number of photographs that were taken by Hedda Morrison (1908-1991) during her years of residence in Peking (Beijing), China 1933-1946.