WANG Yuanzhen, CHEN Shaoyue

(Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China)

Extended abstract:

[Background and purposes] This study is grounded in two crucial research frameworks. (1) It delves into the intricate relationship between design disciplines and the material manifestations of gender culture, exemplified by Song dynasty porcelain boxes, which, being integral parts of ancient artifact design, are imbued with both significant artistic and utilitarian value. These boxes, frequently owned by women, function as tangible carriers of gendered cultural significance, encapsulating a multitude of sociocultural meanings. (2) The viability and representativeness of Song dynasty porcelain boxes as objects of design-oriented inquiry are probed through a multi-dimensional examination of their shape, ornamentation, glaze hues, and utility. An attempt is made within the research to dissect the semantic connotations of feminine elements, elucidating how these design characteristics convey the life aspirations, societal expectations, and role definitions of women in the Song dynasty through a visual vocabulary and symbolic narratives.

[Methods] Four methodological approaches are integrated into this paper: design studies, archaeological typology, iconographic analysis, and sociological feminist research techniques. Design studies are employed to establish a connection between the physical attributes of the porcelain boxes—form, decoration, glaze colors, and function—and the societal norms, aesthetic preferences, identity affirmation, and gender-related expectations of women during the Song dynasty. Archaeological typology is harnessed to classify the porcelain boxes, with those boasting distinct feminine characteristics for detailed examination. Iconographic analysis is employed to depict the variety of forms, glaze decoration motifs, and functional categorizations, offering insights into the metaphorical representation of women's societal roles and the prevailing norms of the time.

[Results] In the study of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, Song dynasty porcelain boxes, as toiletry items in women's boudoirs, are directly linked to femininity. The analysis focuses on four aspects: (1) Feminine metaphors in form design, including lotus, pomegranate, pumpkin, and avian shapes, revealing the Confucian ethical perspective on fertility. (2) Ornamental designs featuring peony, lotus, animal, and geometric patterns, which construct an expression of social roles and gendered traits. (3) The implicit social discipline and class representation in glaze colors, which also serve as covert carriers of feminine emotions. (4) The functional design of Song dynasty porcelain boxes reflects women's spaces as a unity of privacy and publicity, embodying metaphors of hierarchical structures while demonstrating distinctions among different female identities and social classes through spatial nesting. The conclusion drawn is that the feminine elements in Song dynasty porcelain boxes are essentially products of patriarchal society's materialization of women's value—these artifacts are both necessities of women's lives and tools for disciplining their bodies.

[Conclusions] Song dynasty porcelain boxes, as material carriers of gender culture, possess dual attributes of practicality and ritual significance, essentially functioning as materialized gender symbols: they are not only common objects in women's boudoirs but also power-laden instruments for disciplining the female body. This study provides a representative case for understanding the material carriers of gender culture in ancient China, revealing not only the material cultural characteristics of Song dynasty women's lives but also offering a crucial perspective for examining the interactive relationship between gender and artifacts in traditional society.

Key words: Song dynasty porcelain box design; female elements; female metaphors; social discipline