This vehicle was developed from an image on silk which dated (the silk) from the Southern Song Dynasty 1127AD - 1279AD. This image came from 1 of 12 Pieces of a silk hanging that are all that survive of a larger hanging, scattered in museums around the globe. The hanging is 'The Odes of Chen" 1150ce from original designs by Ma Hezi (1139 - 90 ce).
Craig Clunas describes this Painting on silk in his excellent book' Art in China' ISBN 0-19-184207-2

Neo-Confucianism was developed during this time with the notion of the universal man. This was considered to be the time of the Chinese industrial revolution, with the inventions of gunpowder, cannon & flame throwers, and the mass production of items from bronze. Printing technology advances lead to increased literacy, thus opening up the civil service exams to the population at large. There was a learned and growing bureaucracy during this period.

The Southern Song were in conflict with the Jin who had taken over the earlier Northern Song causing the Song to flee South of the Yangtze, where they became the Southern Song. They were all finally defeated by the Mongols who then reunited China.

A civil service officer would be one of the few to use this type of cart at that time. This type of cart can often be found in old Chinese images.



The timber used is Fijian Salu-Salu. Although you can not see it, the floor is light and dark demolition Matai. All metal work is brass, with a leather sun shade (it should be silk with tassels). The shafts sit on a stand that is also Salu-Salu.