TEN MILES OF RED DOWRY
The bridal bed led the way; a coffin closed the procession.
Between them lay the entire life of an ancient Chinese woman.
This online archive explores the ever-changing identities, roles, and expectations of women across different Chinese dynasties through the objects they brought into marriage. By examining these objects as historical sources, the archive aims to provide a deeper understanding of how ideas of womanhood evolved over time. It highlights how dowries not only reflected existing gender norms but also helped shape women's identities within the family and society.