San li tu 1676

Chongyi Nie created this ink illustration, San li tu, during the Song dynasty to visualize the carriages, dress, and rituals described in classical texts. This image of a horse-drawn cart with a parasol depicts a vehicle that could only be used by high-ranking members of the aristocracy in tenth-century China. Sumptuary laws regulated almost every aspect of daily life. The colour of clothing, the number of courses served at dinner, the dimensions of one’s house, and the type of carriage one was permitted to travel in were all determined by social rank. Illustrations like these offered artists an opportunity to comment on the social structures of their time, but often the images confirmed the strict social hierarchy of that era. To fully appreciate the meaning of this work, we need to understand the history of Chinese sumptuary laws as well as the role of Confucianism in structuring Chinese society. Resources in the museum's library can help you to learn more.