Ten Bronzes Pieces from the Shanghai Museum Collections
1. Bronze fish-shaped flat hu (wine vessel) - Western Han dynasty (206 B. C — 8 A. D.) - Height: 31.8 cm.
2. Bronze lin (wine vessel) marked Chung Yi Fu - Late Western Chou dynasty (9th century B. C.) - Height: 44 cm.
3. Bronze chih (wine vessel) to worship Father Keng - Early Western Chou dynasty (11th—lOth century B.C.) - Height: 14.9 cm.
4. Bronze chueh (wine vessel) marked Ya Chi - Late Shang dynasty (I4th—11th century B.C.) - Height: 20.1 cm.
5. Bronze kung (wine vessel) to worship Father Yi - Late Shang dynasty (I4th—11th century B.C.) - Height: 29.5 cm.
6. Square Bronze tsun (wine vessel) marked Kuei Ku - Early Western Chou dynasty (11th—lOth century B.C.) -Height: 21.8 cm.
7. Bronze bell (musical instrument) marked Liu - Late Spring and Autumn Period (6th century—476 B. C.) - Height: 25.6 cm.
8. Bronze ting (tripod cooking pot) - Late Shang dynasty (I4th—11th century B.C.) - Height: 20.8 cm.
9. Bronze kueu (food container) marked Marquis of Chen - Early Spring and Autumn Period (770—7th century B. C.) - Height: 12.4 cm.
10. Bronze kuei (food container) marked Shih Huan - Late Western Chou dynasty (beginning of 9th century—end of 8th century B. C.) - Height: 27 cm.
Scans source: The Selected Bronzes from the Collections in the Shanghai Museum - Shanghai People's Art Publishing House, 1978.
ReplyDeleteFrom the publisher's note:
Bronze manufacture was a rare success in ancient China. As far back as over four thousand years ago, bronzes began to be made in the late period of the primitive society. The most flourishing bronze industry, however, occurred in the Shang and Chou dynasties, the period of slavery, which, in history, is generally known as the Bronze Age. Many centuries in the past witnessed a great and steady progress in the manufacture of bronze products in China, which are characterized by their markedly traditional features and ever-innovating styles as well. The achievements thus made represent not only the well-advanced productive forces but the splendid culture and arts in early times. The development of the Chinese bronze manufacture which seems to have scattered far and wide in the country undoubtedly plays an important part in ancient history of culture and metallurgy.
the topmost picture is upside down!
ReplyDeleteI have corrected. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteDear Janas!
ReplyDeleteI only saw this just no. Very nice! I don't know if you know but I spent quite some time indulging in chinese ferments. One of my articles that you may or may not have seen is here: http://jiu.se/_notes/luzhou/aluzhoueng.html
Dear Bolingo, welcome back to this place, is always a pleasure to hear you. Your article is exquisitely interesting, I recommend it to all the lovers of good wine and beer.
ReplyDeleteGom bui!
Janas
overly ornate decoration a sign of decadence and signal of a culture in decline?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Zhao.
ReplyDelete