This lidded bronzea mixture of copper, tin, and often lead that produces a strong metal. container is shaped as a baby elephant standing on a larger elephant’s back. Made as a serving vessela container such as a cup, bowl, pot, or dish. for wine, it reveals ancient people’s creativity and innovation. Wine was stored in the larger elephant’s belly and poured from the trunk. The baby elephant serves as a knob for the vessel’s lid. In contrast to the realism of the overall shape, the fragmented patterns that cover the body are derived from mythical creatures often found on Shang(shahng) vessels, including dragons and taotie(t-ow-tee-eh) a stylized monster face-mask design pattern commonly found on ancient Chinese bronzes with symmetrically arranged eyes, ears, horns, snout, and jaw. masks. A taotie is a frontal animal-like face with a pair of staring eyes, a nose, and jaw. This elephant-shaped bronze is an impressive example of an early Chinese sculpture with both artistic and practical value. It looks vivid and lively, reflecting the skill of the craftsmen.
Animal-shaped bronzea mixture of copper, tin, and often lead that produces a strong metal. vessels were relatively rare during the Shang dynastythe earliest Chinese dynasty verified by scholars, ruling from ca. 1600 to 1050 BCE.. Favored by the people who lived in the Yangzi(yahng dz) River valley, they reveal the southern craftsmen’s knowledge and appreciation of the animals portrayed. Depicted with incredible realism, this bronze vessela container such as a cup, bowl, pot, or dish. must have been cast by a master who had seen an elephant with his own eyes.
Bronzea mixture of copper, tin, and often lead that produces a strong metal. played an important role in ceremonies for Shang(shahng) rulers and high officials. Ceremonial rituals to honor gods and ancestors often included offerings of wine and food presented in decorated bronze vessels. The number and variety of wine vessels from the Shang dynastythe earliest Chinese dynasty verified by scholars, ruling from ca. 1600 to 1050 BCE. suggests that wine played an important role in Shang religious rituals. These practices also influenced people living outside the Shang realm.
- What is bronzea mixture of copper, tin, and often lead that produces a strong metal.? What special qualities does it have that would have made it important in ancient China?
- How do you think this object was made? Describe the steps you think it might have involved. Then, research the piece-mold process of bronze castingan object made by pouring molten metal or other material into a mold. common during the Shang dynastythe earliest Chinese dynasty verified by scholars, ruling from ca. 1600 to 1050 BCE. to see if you are correct.
- Why do you think the craftsman chose the elephant shape for this vessela container such as a cup, bowl, pot, or dish.?
- Why do you think the craftsman covered the vessel with creatures and abstract faces?
- How do we show respect for our deceased family members today?
