Description
Black and white photograph showing a young girl sitting on a small stool by the side of a street with a mat in front of her, on which piles of persimmons are arranged for sale. Beside her to the left of the image is a cart, also piled with fruit. Two people inspect fruit on the cart. Pedestrians and rickshaws can be seen in the background. Buildings line the far side of the street.

Significance statement
The persimmon is one of the most important fruit trees in Peking and has been cultivated for hundreds of years. Persimmons are an autumnal fruit and were popular offerings for the autumn festival, owing to their auspicious orange-red colour and the roundness of their shape, alluding to reunions. Persimmon trees are grown in orchards but they were also popular in the temple grounds and gardens. Traditionally, the fruit is kept outside throughout winter and is frozen or dried, allowing it to be eaten throughout the year.

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
92/1414-231