Chinese silk watercolour: 'Third Day Bathing Ceremony' c.1911

Scope and Content

Mounted watercolour/pen and ink drawing on silk depicting the third day bathing ceremony celebrating the birth of a Chinese baby, together with a typed translation of the Chinese text from Alan Brews FRCOG in November 1954 and a transcription taken from a publication containing details of the ceremony. The drawing was presented to the College by Professor Preston Maxwell, who was a medical missionary.

Administrative / Biographical History

Rich Chinese families, giving birth to a child, on the third day would invite the midwife to wash the baby. The family, relatives and friends would come to congratulate and watch the washing of the baby.

Access Information

Open to researchers by appointment, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. archives@rcog.org.uk

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright unknown.

Reproductions are available at the discretion of the College Archivist.

Custodial History

Presented to the RCOG by Professor John Preston Maxwell in November 1954, where it was hung for many years together with a typed description of the ceremony. It was transferred to the College Archive in August 2013.

Geographical Names