Three ladies drinking tea, Hong Kong, 1900's

A quiet moment of refinement — grace, ceremony, and sisterhood in early 20th-century Hong Kong.
This fine art reproduction captures a posed yet intimate scene of three Chinese women engaging in the cherished ritual of tea drinking, a cultural cornerstone that reflects elegance, tradition, and social status.

Details

• Museum-quality fine art print on premium archival paper
• Faithful reproduction of a hand-tinted photograph taken in 1901, Hong Kong
• A genuine piece of visual history
• Available in multiple sizes to suit your space

About the artwork

Originally taken in a professional studio in 1901 Hong Kong, this sepia-toned photograph depicts three Chinese women in traditional attire gathered around a finely carved table, mid-tea service.

They are dressed in richly detailed silk garments — likely qipaos or Tang-style jackets — adorned with subtle embroidery. Their elaborate hairstyles, earrings, and accessories reflect a level of wealth and refinement typical of upper-class society during the late Qing period. Each woman holds a fan or handkerchief, delicate symbols of poise and feminine grace.

The table before them is neatly arranged with a traditional Chinese tea set, and a potted plant at its center echoes the balance and harmony so central to Chinese aesthetic philosophy. Behind them, a painted scenic backdrop — common in early photography studios — completes the portrait, adding both depth and symbolism.

Taken during a time when Hong Kong was under British colonial rule, this image nonetheless celebrates enduring Chinese customs. It reflects not only personal beauty but the social rituals that defined elite circles: hospitality, formality, and the revered art of tea.