Georgie and Amy Pirkis with their amah

This rare and touching portrait, taken around 1878, captures Georgie and Amy Pirkis with their amah, likely named Li Ma, during the family's stay in London. The photograph is a window into the lives of families connected to the British Empire in Asia, where it was common for British children born or raised in the colonies to be cared for by Chinese amahs or ayahs.

The contrast in clothing, posture, and gaze speaks volumes about cultural encounters, emotional bonds, and the complexities of colonial domestic life. The children’s relaxed closeness to their amah reflects the deep, nurturing roles these women often played — far more than servants, they were maternal figures, protectors, and teachers.

Taken by H. Daubray, a professional photographer based on Westbourne Grove, this image remains one of the few surviving depictions of East Asian women in domestic service in 19th-century Britain.

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Georgie and Amy Pirkis with their amah- un-named, but, possibly, Li Ma. Photographer, H. Daubray, 90, Westbourne Grove, London. Taken when the family was in London in 1878/1879, HPC PF-s0001