What can a bridal chest, a piece of jewelry, or a dowry contract reveal about a woman’s life 2,000 years ago? I explore Chinese history through the overlooked stories hidden within dowry, uncovering women’s identities, choices, and voices across generations.
Through historical research, tactile exhibitions, interviews, and storytelling projects, I’m passionate about bringing forgotten narratives to life and amplifying voices often left unheard.
Welcome to my journey of discovering the stories history almost forgot.
I first encountered the concept of dowry in Grade 8 while writing historical fiction novels. I became fascinated by the paradox of dowry: women brought everything they might need for life, including furniture, household objects, and even coffins, symbolizing that they would not become a burden on their husband’s family or rely on their resources, yet they were still expected to dedicate their lives to serving that household.
As I researched further, I discovered that dowry was a reflection of changing expectations of women throughout Chinese history. Flowing tassels on jewelry, for example, represented ideals of feminine elegance and movement, while pomegranate motifs symbolized fertility and the expectation of producing sons.
Through my research, I found that information about dowry objects was scattered across academic sources. To address this gap, this archive, “Ten Miles of Red Dowry”, was created. It is an online platform documenting typical dowry items across Chinese history. The archive explores what women brought into marriage and what these objects reveal about female virtues, social class, and the evolving construction of women’s identities.
For more details, please click on any of the pictures on the right-hand side or visit the archive here:
https://tenmilesofreddowry-katherine-liyu-zhang.com/
Each dynasty developed its own traditions and customs, reflected through unique dowry objects, wedding clothing, and jewelry. Although displaying these artifacts behind glass is necessary for preservation, it prevents visually impaired visitors from experiencing them through touch.
This exhibition allows visually impaired individuals to interact with replicas and selected artifacts, exploring the textures, designs, and cultural meanings of objects unique to different dynasties and creating a more inclusive historical experience.