Only Chinese version is available
Ox-cart and Figures
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Year
Jin dynasty to Southern dynasties (265 – 589)
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Media
Ceramics
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Dimensions
Height: 16.5 cm Width: 27 cm
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Museum No.
HM1997.11.103
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Description
To facilitate travelling, people in ancient times already used carts as a means of transport. Whether a person had a cart to ride on, what shape it was, and what animal was used to pull it were all symbols of social status in those days. The aristocrats did not use ox-carts because they were initially used for transporting goods, so they symbolized a lower status than horse-carts.
It was not until the late Eastern Han period (25 – 220) that the use of horse-carts became common as a major means of transport. But with the strict etiquette involved when using carts, the riders had to sit down or stand up very properly, which was restrictive for the comfort-seeking aristocrats. Most ox-carts, in contrast, were equipped with canopies, so riders could sit or lie down as they wished, without being seen by those passing by. Ox-carts were slower than horse wagons, which made the ride more stable and comfortable. They could carry heavier loads, too. Such advantages recommended the ox-cart to users and soon it became a trend.
During the Wei (220 – 265) and Jin (265 – 420) dynasties, ox-carts became the major means of transport for the upper class in the South. The design was also more sophisticated to provide more comfort and appeal. The Han people’s use of ox-carts also influenced ethnic minorities of the North. By the Mid-Tang period, ox-carts were gradually replaced by other means of transport.
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—Collection of Hong Kong Heritage Museum, donated by The Tsui Art Foundation
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