Description
Black and white photograph showing a young boy standing at a table checking the balance of scales. He is wearing an apron and stands in front of a woodwork table. On the wall beside him, to the left of the image, a calligraphic Chinese couplet hang on the wall.

Significance statement
This photograph shows a boy checking a set of scales. People would bring in items of, for instance, silver, to have them melted down and reworked. Morrison has photographed the boy working, his face averted from the camera, to achieve a greater sense of naturalism. She rarely used a flash and so was dependent on available light. Many workshops and interiors were small and dark, restricting her choice of indoor subjects.

Production notes
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.

History notes
Exhibited in 'Peking: 1933-1946 - A photographic impression', Menzies Library, Australian National University, 17-30 June 1967.

Credit line
Gift of Mr Alastair Morrison, 1992

Registration number
92/1414-206