Water cart, Tientsin (Tianjin), China
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Water cart, Tientsin (Tianjin), China
Water cart, Tientsin (Tianjin), China. Date: 1861
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Media ID 14137267
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Pump Park Photography
1861 Bucket Buckets Colonialism Pith Tianjin Tientsin
EDITORS COMMENTS
"This evocative photograph captures the daily life of Tianjin, China, in the 1860s as a water cart makes its way through the bustling streets of the city, then known as Tientsin. The image, taken in 1861, depicts a scene of local Chinese men and boys pushing and pulling the cart, which is filled with large buckets of water. The water is being transported to various destinations within the city, likely for domestic or construction purposes. The presence of the water cart and its Western-clad driver, wearing a pith helmet, is a reminder of the colonial influence that had begun to take hold in China during this period. The British and other European powers had established trading concessions in Tianjin, and their impact on the city's infrastructure and daily life is evident in this scene. Despite the foreign influence, the Chinese laborers continue to go about their work in traditional clothing, demonstrating the blending of old and new ways of life that characterized the late Qing Dynasty. The water cart, with its simple yet essential function, serves as a symbol of the resilience and adaptability of the Chinese people in the face of colonialism and the changing world around them." This photograph offers a unique glimpse into the past, providing insight into the daily life of Tianjin during a time of significant historical change. The image invites us to reflect on the complexities of colonialism and its impact on different communities, as well as the enduring strength and adaptability of the human spirit.
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