Story: Domestic recreation and hobbies

A few moments at the piano, late 19th century

A few moments at the piano, late 19th century

During the 19th century and much of the 20th century women were occupied with domestic chores and child-rearing day and night, and they had to fit recreation and hobbies around this work. This engraving of a woman at the piano, with a broom under her arm and an abandoned shovel and teapot on the floor, is perhaps extreme but it does illustrate the point. 

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: E-309-q-4-019

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Domestic recreation and hobbies - Opportunities for leisure', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/41095/a-few-moments-at-the-piano-late-19th-century (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 Sep 2013