Funding for Ceramic Production at Jingdezhen Imperial Kilns during the Kangxi and Qianlong Periods
In the early Qing Dynasty,the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen achieved a series of institutional advancements in management.The issue of funding is an important aspect of the imperial kiln system,as stable financial investment provided guarantees for the smooth operation.In the early Qing,there was no mature system for the sources of funding,which later witnessed main changes,evolving from local funds to relying on customs revenue,and eventually settling into a fixed amount of ten thousand taels of silver drawn from the surplus of Jiujiang Custom House annually.The management of fund was also continuously improved and gradually matured.Due to differences in exchange rates between official and market fine silver(guanpingyin and shipingyin),settling expenses in market resulted in corresponding savings of"standard silver"(pingseyin),which would be associated with expenses.The categorization of expenses for ceramic production underwent three phases of refinement,displaying a gradual process of increasing precision,sophistication,and institutionalization.The zouxiao system was established synchronously with the management of fund,establishing strict standards and procedures,standardizing the audit of various expenditures,and serving as a means for the Imperial House Department(Neiwufu)to control the kilns.Surplus funds,following the zouxiao process,were directly remitted to the Imperial Workshops(Zaobanchu),enriching the royal finances.The institutionalization process of the funding for the imperial kilns is not only an epitome of specialized financial practices during the Qing Dynasty,but also reflects several aspects of the development of state-operated handicraft industry in traditional Chinese society.
万方数据
维普
