The Song dynasty was one of the most prosperous periods of Chinese history. On the one hand, the educated were leading the world of literature, with the Chongwen style becoming commonplace, while on the other hand, popular civic culture was sprouting in the soil of the urban economies, creating a diverse and inclusive culture that appealed to all.
Life in the Song Dynasty
"A zither, a jug of wine, and a stream of clouds": Life for Scholars in the Song Dynasty
Influenced by Zen Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism, scholars of the Song dynasty yearned for an elegant and leisurely life, often playing instruments, drinking alcohol, and admiring the scenery. Burning incense, making tea, hanging paintings, and arranging flowers were all part of their everyday studies and were known as the Four Leisures.
Seated government official FrontWangye Museum
This statue is of an official wearing a headdress and a round collar robe tied at the waist.
Song dynasty conch shell cup with inscription View of mouthWangye Museum
Drinking culture was popular in Song Dynasty. As the saying goes, food needs to be matched with beautiful drinking cups, so people attached great importance to the design of drinking cups. This cup is engraved with the characters zhi ji san bei jiu (true friends have three cups of wine), and with a decorative pattern.
White chuiwan ball (Song-Jin dynasty)Wangye Museum
Chuiwan is a sport during the Northern Song dynasty, it was taken as 'Chinese golf ' back then.
Red chuiwan ball (Song dynasty)Wangye Museum
The people of the Song dynasty moved from the Tang dynasty idea of ball sports being a pursuit of bravery and fitness, to them being for happiness and self-improvement. This follows the Confucian mentality of enjoyment of the arts and reflects the way the academic class were shaping an elegant lifestyle for themselves.
Incense holder with flower motif Lid removedWangye Museum
Incense was very popular in ancient China. It was widely used by nobility and literati, as it is a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle to light up an incense at home.
This cylindrical incense burner stands on three feet and has a lid with a hollowed-out floral pattern, allowing the smoke to flow through the holes.
Ganzhou kiln white rim bowl FrontWangye Museum
For a long time, the Chinese way of drinking tea was essentially in three ways: boiling tea, pulverizing-infusing and whisking. Whether it is tea cakes or loose tea, they all need to be ground for drinking.
Ding kiln white porcelain turtle shape pestle FrontWangye Museum
Therefore, the grinder that turns tea leaves into tea powder becomes one of the very important tea utensils.
Ding kiln white porcelain turtle shape pestle BottomWangye Museum
This tea roller has lines engraved on the bottom to improve its ability to grind tea leaves.
Bronze vase (Song dynasty)Wangye Museum
Antique styles were popular during the Song dynasty. The shape of this bronze vase imitates the neolithic square jade vases of the Liangzhu culture.
White bottle FrontWangye Museum
In the Song dynasty, people used bottles and pots to display flower arrangements in their homes. They were also used as offerings to gods and Buddhas.
Urban Life in the Song Dynasty
"Painted drums resound in the streets, orchid lanterns fill the marketplace"
During the Song dynasty, the population increased, cities grew, and the traditional neighborhood system was abandoned. The booming development of the urban economies created an urban class that made a living by buying and selling goods or providing entertainment.
White stone divination instrument View 2Wangye Museum
Divination was prevalent during the Song Dynasty and was widely used by all social classes in daily life. It is inscribed with eight sets of characters: "may your rice fields and silkworms increase 10,000 times," "go home soon if traveling," "harmonious business," "not so good," "extremely auspicious," "all the best," "abundant rain," and "many descendants."
Bronze painted mirror FrontWangye Museum
The limitations of the old mirror design are that it needs a stand or is required to be hung. During Song and Jin dynasties, mirrors with handles were invented. This design is easy to carry, and people can face the mirror to get dressed. The simple handle revolutionized how mirrors were used and symbolised the development of etiquette in ancient China.
Bronze painted mirror BackWangye Museum
The painting on this bronze mirror was initially painted in the Song dynasty and depicted people's life in the city.
Bronze rectangular mirror BackWangye Museum
This bronze mirror is from the Song and Jin periods and is inscribed with the character "Huangjia Gongfu" (Made by Huang Family) in the back. This rectangular mirror has a button in the middle of the back and decorative swirling and grass patterns. The inscription "Huangjia Gongfu" indicates that the Huang family was dedicated to making bronze mirrors, passing on the technique from one generation to the next, the inscription could be the name of the workshop or business.
Seal for wine vessel SideWangye Museum
This wine stopper covers the opening of a container of wine. These stoppers were used to control counterfeits and taxes, and they also helped in transporting and storing wine. Song dynasty wine stoppers provide an important basis for researching alcohol restrictions at the time.
Life for Children in the Song Dynasty
"In the early morning, a child takes the ice from their basin and uses bright silk to make it into a gong hammer"
Toy markets were established in the cities of the Song dynasty, with a rich array of toys.
Maheśvara figure FrontWangye Museum
The toys were vivid and exciting. Ceramic toys made up the majority, and they were often themed around deities, Buddhas, Taoist gods, children, buildings, flowers, and trees, and came in different shapes.
Figure seated on a rock FrontWangye Museum
It can be argued that this pottery is just as important as paintings when it comes to learning about the Song dynasty. Both types of object are of great value for researchers who want to learn about the history of pottery, toys, statues, the history of painting, folk customs, and religion.
Figure holding dragon boat (Song dynasty)Wangye Museum
This female figure is holding a small dragon boat in her arms. Her toes are pointing outwards, making her pose more dynamic.
Figure holding lance (Song dynasty)Wangye Museum
A lance is an ancient cold weapon similar to a spear. The lance the boy is holding is not a practical weapon, but a lance-shaped toy, similar to a child playing with a toy gun.
Model of a temple and trees FrontWangye Museum
In the Song dynasty, the craftsmanship of pottery figures that were buried with the dead, the skills of making objects that were associated with Buddhism, and the interest in children’s toys were combined. As a result, figures like this temple in a mountainour forest were created. It can be played with or be displayed.
Life for Women in the Song Dynasty
"Graced with jade plumage are the pins, swirled with gold are snow-willow crowns a gathering ribbon makes neat."
Influenced by scholarly culture, women of the Song dynasty cultivated an interest in elegant living, and influenced by civic culture, they were full of a love for life, which added to the lively and steadfast aspect of their personality.The mix of the two makes up the unique aesthetic charm of Song dynasty women.
Lacquered box with lid Closed boxWangye Museum
Made of wood, this Wojiao-style box is covered in a red lacquer and has a red lacquer inscription on the lid.
Bronze octagonal lobed mirror BackWangye Museum
The image of ladies developed in the Jin dynasty and flourished in the Tang dynasty. In the Song dynasty, paintings of women were innovative. As well as noble women of the court and women from myths and legends, poor women from the lowest levels of society began to attract the attention of painters as subjects in their paintings.
Round bronze box Lid removedWangye Museum
Round Bronze Box contains the original preserved agarwood.
Glass hairpins and bracelets (Song dynasty)Wangye Museum
Glass hairpins from the Song and Yuan dynasties were most commonly opaque white, opaque blue, light blue, and emerald green. This collection of items is a bright, vivid blue.
