A hand-colored albumen stereograph from the Views in China series, published by Ernest & Stuart Hall and titled “Candelabra before the Idol of Longevity, in the Temple of that Name.” The image presents a three dimensional frontal interior view of a Cantonese temple shrine, centered on an elaborate multi-tiered candelabrum positioned before the altar. The composition emphasizes symmetry and verticality, with the candelabra rising prominently against a backdrop of carved wood panels, hanging lanterns, and ritual furnishings.

The candelabrum depicted corresponds directly to the printed explanatory text on the mount, which describes a ceremonial object of seven stories, each with seven branches bearing small glass oil lamps, with additional offerings placed behind. Such explanatory mounts are characteristic of the Views in China series and reflect Western commercial and educational interest in Chinese religious architecture and ritual practice during the late nineteenth century. The scene likely depicts a temple dedicated to Shou, the Taoist god of longevity, whose cult imagery and ritual objects were frequently documented for export audiences.

This stereograph forms part of a larger, well-known sequence of Canton views produced for the European and American market, combining documentary intent with carefully applied color to enhance architectural detail and symbolic elements. Interior temple views from this series are less common than exterior architectural scenes and are valued for their detailed visual record of late Qing religious interiors, ceremonial objects, and cross-cultural photographic interpretation.