PFH1179215: China: A Chinese spearman, First Opium War, 1839-1842 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1179222: China: French troops attack the Chinese at Pa Li Chian Bridge, 1860, Second Opium War (1856-1860) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1179239: India: Maharaja Gulab Singh Dogra of Jammu and Kashmir, c. 1846 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1179274: Iraq: A Miniature by Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti, 1237 CE / Bridgeman Images

PFH1179301: Iraq: Two men in conversation. A miniature from the 'Maqam' or 'Assembly' illustrated by Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti, 1237 CE / Bridgeman Images

PFH1179381: India: Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi (Benares) c. 1950 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1179410: China: Tea porters Muleteers crossing the Luding Bridge over the Dadu River in Luding County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, c.1939 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172421: Japan: Cover of Affiches ('posters') magazine,1927 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172435: Japan: 'Modern Tokyo' music magazine (1930) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172501: Iran: 'A Persian magistrate in his official attitude', sketch and watercolour by Justin Perkins, Urmia (1839) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172506: Iran: 'A Persian moolah in the attitude of teaching', sketch and watercolour by Justin Perkins, Urmia (1839) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172538: Japan: The 2nd Grand Exhibition of Proletarian Art, Japan Proletarian Artists Federation, 1929 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172542: Japan: Leftist election poster for Labour-Farmer Party, 1928 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172584: Japan: Fish-shaped banners flying on a festival day, c.1900 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172618: Turkey: Saint Basil of Caesarea (330-379) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172641: China: Huang Jingrong, French Concession detective and Shanghai mobster, 1868-1951 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1172648: Vietnam: A Vietnamese map published in 1834 showing the East Sea (South China Sea) and the Gulf of Thailand. The Spratlys are represented as a long cluster of islets just off the shore of central Vietnam / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168577: China: Jiang Qing (1914-1991), also known as Madame Mao, at the height of her power in the Cultural Revolution, c. 1969. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168587: China: Zhou Enlai (Chou En-lai, 5 March 1898 – 8 January 1976) with beard, Jiangxi Soviet, c. 1933 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168636: China: Chen Yi (August 26, 1901 - January 6, 1972), Chinese communist military commander and politician / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168717: China: Artist Louis Delaporte was on hand to sketch this eerie scene as a French delegation passed a field of cholera victims in coffins as it traversed Yunnan province in December 1867. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168729: China: A convoy of traders and porters on a trail in Yunnan province, as sketched by Louis Delaporte in 1868. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168736: China: French expeditioners and Chinese porters pause for a rest above the Yangtse River valley after walking in convoy from Dali in Yunnan Province in 1868. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168743: China: An ethnic Pa-Y village in Yunnan province, as sketched by Louis Delaporte in 1868. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168764: Thailand: A Full Moon festival at Nong Khai pagoda in Isan, sketched in 1866-67 by French expeditioner Louis Delaporte. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168788: Laos: A French expedition camps at night by the banks of the Mekong River in 1867. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1168826: China: Emperor Xuande, 5th ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1425-1435). / Bridgeman Images

PFH1170285: Burma/ Myanmar: A sculptor carves a Buddha statue from marble in Prome, lower Burma, c.1920s. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1170330: Burma/ Myanmar: Thatbyinnyu Pagoda in Bagan, Upper Burma, c.1920s. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1166759: China: Soldier of the Emperor Qianlong, by William Alexander, 1793. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1166771: France/ Turkey: A French engraving depicting the procession marking the arrival in March 1721 of the first Ottoman ambassador to France, Mehmet Efendi, and his entourage through the streets of Paris. / Bridgeman Images

PFH1170407: China: Empress Dowager Xiao Duanwen (1613-1688), consort of Hong Taiji (Huang Taiji), 2nd Qing Emperor (r. 1626-1643). / Bridgeman Images

PFH1177373: China: Guo Morou, Chinese author, historian, archaeologist and intellectual., Unknown photographer, (20th century) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1177377: China: Xu Zhimo, Chinese poet and intellectual (1897-1931) / Bridgeman Images

PFH1177428: Malaysia / Singapore: Nyonya women wearing sarong kebaya dress typical of the Peranakan Straits Chinese community, c. 1950 / Bridgeman Images

PFH1177436: Singapore / Malaysia: Nyonya or Nonya shoes, Peranakan Chinese community / Bridgeman Images