A Family at afternoon tea thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 546, Box A

A Family at afternoon tea

Photograph
1855-1860 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
A stereograph is a pair of photographic images of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. This gives the illusion of a single three-dimensional image when viewed through a stereoscope designed to hold it. Sometimes these images were coloured by hand in paints or inks to make them more life-like. The colouring here of the carpet, tablecloth, walls and curtains brings out the detail in the heavily-patterned interior typical of the mid-Victorian home.

Ownership & Use
Stereographs were mass produced. Viewing them was a popular amusement carried out in the home from the 1850s until the early 20th century.

Subjects Depicted
In this image, a group is posed taking tea from a silver tea set and china cups and saucers. Domestic scenes of a model family like this - or of the institutions of society such as school, church or marriage - were typical subjects of popular stereographs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleA Family at afternoon tea
Materials and techniques
Albumen prints mounted on glass
Brief description
Stereoscopic photograph 'Family at afternoon tea in colour', made by Underwood & Underwood, New York, USA, 1855-1860
Physical description
Stereoscopic photograph
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.4cm
  • Width: 17.3cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 14/05/1999 by LH
Gallery label
British Galleries: STEREOSCOPE AND STEREOGRAPHS
Various dates, 1854-1901
This stereoscope is typical of those used in Victorian homes for education and amusement. Stereographs (paired photographs taken from slightly different angles) were placed in the holder and then adjusted until the viewer saw the scene in three dimensions.(27/03/2003)
Object history
Stereoscope made by Underwood & Underwood, New York, USA; stereographs by various photographers
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
A stereograph is a pair of photographic images of the same subject taken from slightly different angles. This gives the illusion of a single three-dimensional image when viewed through a stereoscope designed to hold it. Sometimes these images were coloured by hand in paints or inks to make them more life-like. The colouring here of the carpet, tablecloth, walls and curtains brings out the detail in the heavily-patterned interior typical of the mid-Victorian home.

Ownership & Use
Stereographs were mass produced. Viewing them was a popular amusement carried out in the home from the 1850s until the early 20th century.

Subjects Depicted
In this image, a group is posed taking tea from a silver tea set and china cups and saucers. Domestic scenes of a model family like this - or of the institutions of society such as school, church or marriage - were typical subjects of popular stereographs.
Collection
Accession number
196-1945

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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