Two Tuvans women. Photography.

N.p., [first half of the 20th century].
13x17 cm.

Gelatin silver print, printed later.
Wear to edges, small losses to edges, very faintly spotted, owner’s mark to verso.  

Most likely, the photograph depicts two Tuvan women, members of a Turco-Mongol ethnic group indigenous to Siberia, dressed in traditional costumes ('ton' robe). It is possible that the original image was taken during an ethnographic expedition in the late 19th century.
Historically, during the Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China, Tuva was part of Outer Mongolia known as Tannu Uriankhai. However, in 1911, Tuva broke away and established the Uryankhay Republic following the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the formation of the Republic of China. In 1914, Tuva became a Russian protectorate and later evolved into the nominally independent Tuvan People's Republic in 1921, officially known as Tannu Tuva until 1926. This republic was recognized only by its neighboring countries, the Soviet Union and Mongolia. However, in 1944, Tannu Tuva was annexed by the Soviet Union.