Reflection of Femininity in Tang Furniture: Chairs and Tables

Abstract

This research reviews the Tang dynasty chairs and tables (structure and design patterns) used by Tang court women that are depicted in contemporary visual art of that time. With the help of surviving extant paintings, this topic covers the wooden chairs and tables designed for women, and examine how the pieces were used in daily life of Tang women. This topic is essential, as the so called „Golden age of China‟ the Tang dynasty, was one of the most significant periods in defining the hierarchy of women‟s social status. As Tang women became bolder members of society, in addition to the mat and low-level furniture, new forms of high-level chairs and tables were introduced for women that became important pieces raising the status in the lives of high-ranking women. These pieces became inseparable part of Chinese women since Tang dynasty. During Tangdynasty, this new piece of furniture structure was also a part of China‟s growth under this dynasty and was influenced by the forms found in skeletal architectural structures. The paintings selected for study in this research show high-ranking Tang women using their traditional furniture and the new types of high-level seats and tables mostly in palace gatherings.