Ancient Chinese Bronze Vessels

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to ancient Chinese bronze vessels, their cultural significance, and manufacturing processes.

Ancestor Worship

The practice of honoring deceased ancestors through rituals, particularly significant in Chinese culture.

Shang Dynasty

An ancient Chinese dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC) known for its development of ancestor worship and bronze casting.

Bronze Age

A period characterized by the use of bronze to make weapons, tools, and ceremonial objects, marking a significant turn in human history.

Patina

A surface appearance caused by age, often seen in bronze objects, resulting from corrosion and burial.

Ritual Banquets

Ceremonies held in honor of ancestors, often featuring the use of bronze vessels for serving offerings.

Composite Creatures

Imaginary animals created with features from multiple real creatures, often seen in ancient Chinese art.

Ceramic Model

A preliminary form used in bronze casting, allowing for detailed decoration before the final bronze object is made.

Foundries

Facilities where metals are melted and molded into specific shapes, crucial for bronze manufacturing.

Inscriptions

Engravings on bronze vessels that may include names of ancestors, linking the object to familial lineage.

Humanoid Figure

A representation resembling a human, often incorporated in the decorative elements of bronze vessels.