Shang Dynasty Bronze

Oracle bones

Fragment of bovine scapula

Shang Dynasty

Anyang

1045 B.C.E.

How oracle bones ritual works

Bones were prepared from turtles or sheep, were used a question with yes or no answer, the back was engraved with the question by heating the bone, as the bone cracked, the oracle would read the cracks and say the answer, it would then be engraved. Royalty would be the ones asking the questions

Oracle bone script

earliest form of writing, diff from normal writting

Ritual wine cup

Bronze

Shang Dynasty

Anyang

1045 B.C.E

Piece mold casting

make model out of clay with decorations/ribs

turn upside down, place diff pieces of clay around vessel, forming the mold

fry mold in Kelm

core was placed in the middle to leave it hollow

space was left between core and mold where the bronze would fill

break mold and reveal artwork

polish and finishing details

Ritual food vessel

Bronze

Shang Dynasty

1045 B.C.E

can be multiple shapes

types of onrnaments/motifs

fantastic - animal like, no real animals

semi-realistic - bits of animals

abstract design - patterns, etc

Tao tie design

two eyes

horns

elements of body

symmetrical

Ritual wine pouring vessel

Bronze

Shang Dynasty

1045 B.C.E

Laiwen

thunder pattern inside of Tao tie desighn

Stylistic elements of Shang bronzes

combination of many animals in one form

metamorphosis of one animal into another

desire to cover entire vessel with a complex design tendency toward sculptural forms

symmetry

Ewer

Bronze

Shang Dynasty

1045 B.C.E

Reason for sculptures

Were made to honor ancestors, and once owner died, they were buried with it to continue rituals in the afterlife

Patinas

The different colors bronze gets as it oxidizes