Habit of a Bonzess of China in 1700

by Thomas Jefferys

This is a fine copper engraving from Thomas Jefferys depicting an unusual aspect of monastic female life in 18th-century China under the rule of the Qing dynasty. It shows a "Bonzess," a nun of Buddhism. This artwork is an example of a study of attire conducted by Jefferys, whose work was characterized by its accuracy of cartography and ethnographical details that gave insight to the "Far East" during the 18th century for Europeans.