Postcard: Madrasi Ayah
Object
Postcard
Object number
2022.85
Physical Description
Side profile of a South Asian women facing left, hold a piece of paper in her hands. She is wearing a whitish sari with pink border and dark blue long sleeved blouse. Her hair is up in a bun.
Reverse has red printed information to fill in the post card.
Reverse has red printed information to fill in the post card.
Material
Card
Dimension
Width: 82mm
Height: 140mm
Height: 140mm
Exhibition Label
From 'Indian and Chinese Nannies in Hackney: The Home for Ayahs and Amahs'
Postcard sets of ‘native servants’, like these, were widely shared across the world. Ayahs came from all parts of India and sometimes the postcards would be used to study customs and societies through their clothing, accessories and other details.
Some presented ayahs as either very sexual or very ugly, suggesting that at times British women felt threatened or disgusted by them.
Ayahs from Madras, also called ‘Madrassi ayahs’, shown in the postcard here, were considered to be the most sophisticated and highly sought after.
Postcard sets of ‘native servants’, like these, were widely shared across the world. Ayahs came from all parts of India and sometimes the postcards would be used to study customs and societies through their clothing, accessories and other details.
Some presented ayahs as either very sexual or very ugly, suggesting that at times British women felt threatened or disgusted by them.
Ayahs from Madras, also called ‘Madrassi ayahs’, shown in the postcard here, were considered to be the most sophisticated and highly sought after.
On display?
No
Inscription
Front
MADRASI AYAH.
Back
POST CARD
THE ADDRESS ONLY TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
Inland 1/4 Anna.
Foreign 1 Anna.
MADRASI AYAH.
Back
POST CARD
THE ADDRESS ONLY TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
Inland 1/4 Anna.
Foreign 1 Anna.
