Aims & Scope

Mission

The Journal of Ancient Chinese Arts and Crafts (JACAC) aims to provide a comprehensive and rigorous scholarly platform for the exploration, preservation, and global promotion of ancient Chinese artistic and artisanal traditions. By fostering interdisciplinary research, disseminating original scholarship, and engaging a diverse international audience, JACAC seeks to enrich understanding of China’s cultural heritage and inspire future generations of scholars, artists, conservators, and cultural heritage professionals.

Scope

JACAC publishes original research spanning from the Neolithic period through the Qing Dynasty, examining diverse artistic expressions and artisanal practices including, but not limited to:

• Ceramics and porcelain
• Jade carving and lapidary arts
• Bronze casting and metalwork
• Textiles, embroidery, and fiber arts
• Calligraphy and ink painting
• Lacquerware and decorative arts
• Sculpture and three-dimensional arts
• Architectural Ornament and Spatial Aesthetics
• Furniture and woodworking traditions
• Folk arts and regional craft traditions

Our peer-reviewed articles emphasize material analysis, historical context, cultural significance, technique evolution, iconographic interpretation, and the relationship between artisanal practices and broader societal developments. The journal encourages research that integrates multiple methodological approaches and draws on diverse evidentiary sources.

Interdisciplinary and Methodological Emphasis

JACAC welcomes contributions from art historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, conservators, material scientists, cultural studies scholars, and practitioners. The journal particularly values:

• Research employing advanced analytical techniques, including spectroscopy, radiography, microscopy, and other scientific methods, to reveal previously unknown aspects of ancient craftsmanship.
• Studies that connect material evidence with historical texts, providing a more complete understanding of traditional knowledge systems and their transmission across generations.
• Comparative and cross-cultural analyses that situate Chinese artistic traditions within broader regional and global contexts.
• Conservation science research that documents endangered techniques and advocates for their preservation.
• Studies examining the intersections between art, technology, philosophy, religion, and social history.

Thematic Priorities

Beyond the core disciplinary focus, JACAC actively bridges traditional disciplinary boundaries by exploring how artistic traditions reflected and shaped Chinese cultural identity throughout different historical periods. The journal contributes to broader scholarly conversations about cultural heritage, identity formation, the enduring power of material culture, and the challenges and opportunities of heritage preservation in a rapidly changing world.

Audience

JACAC serves a broad and diverse readership:

• Scholars and Researchers: Specialists in ancient Chinese arts and crafts, art history, archaeology, and related fields who seek access to cutting-edge research and scholarly analysis.
• Museum Professionals: Curators, exhibition designers, and museum educators who rely on authoritative scholarship to inform exhibition development, interpretation, and educational programming.
• Conservators and Restorers: Conservation specialists who consult detailed studies of historical techniques and materials analysis to inform their preservation work with ancient Chinese artifacts.
• Students and Educators: Art history students and educators who use the journal as a primary learning and teaching resource in the study of Chinese artistic traditions.
• Cultural Heritage Professionals: Heritage management professionals who utilize research to inform policy decisions and preservation strategies for cultural sites and artifacts.
• Art Collectors: Collectors who benefit from scholarly insights that enhance their understanding and appreciation of ancient Chinese art and craft objects.

Through open-access digital publication and the encouragement of submissions in English from researchers worldwide, the journal continues to expand its readership and foster greater international engagement with China’s rich artistic heritage.

Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence

JACAC recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in supporting academic writing and research workflows. The use of AI technologies must comply with principles of transparency, accountability, and academic integrity.

AI tools may be used for language editing, formatting, or technical assistance. However, they must not be used to generate or replace core scholarly content, including research design, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, or conclusions.

Authors are required to disclose any use of AI tools in the preparation of their manuscript, including the type of tool used and the purpose of its use, where applicable. All responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the work remains with the authors.

The journal reserves the right to reject or retract submissions in cases where undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI is found to compromise academic integrity.