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Ladies, Pugs, and Porcelain

3,583 views · Published 23 December 2013 · 52:05 · Indexed 7 October 2026

Channel: Chicago Humanities · 2013 · Pets & Animals

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It's London, circa 1750, and every fashionable upper-class woman's most indispensable accessory is an exotic Asian animal. China was the dominant cultural fad of Europe's 18th century, and the craze extended to both decorations and pets. Nothing went better with a nice piece of porcelain than a monkey, dog, or bird. University of Pennsylvania professor Chi-ming Yang is an expert on the history of Europe's fascination with Asia. In her talk, she discusses the meanings and representations of Chinese animals and goods in 18th-century Great Britain and uncovers the true history of an enduring modern favorite, the pug.

This program is presented in partnership with the Penn Humanities Forum.

This program was recorded on November 9, 2013 as part of the 24th annual Chicago Humanities Festival, Animal: What Makes Us Human: http://chf.to/2013Animal

Video produced by Pentimenti Productions.

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