Abstract Patterns Curled and Ripple Patterns
3 min readSince the middle of the Western Zhou Dynasty，some specific patterns gradually became abstract and formed a new design called curled pattern.It was given this name following the description of Master Lu’s Spring and Autumn Annals:”Ding of the Zhou Dynasty has a curled pattern which is long and curves on both ends.”
It is obvious the curled pattern was developed from the bird and dragon patterns.If the bird patterns are arranged in parallel，we can assume the bird pattern evolved into the curled pattern.
The curled pattern was widely used and varied according to requirements to decorate different part of different items.
The interlaid ring and scale patterns were also popular during the same period of the curled pattern.The interlaid ring pattern often consisted of continuously distributed ovals and rings and was used to decorate the mouth and legs of the object.The scale pattern is like scales of aquatic animal，interlaid，and used to decorate a large area of the item.
The ripple（ring-shaped pattern）is a wide and smooth curled pattern，filled with shaped pattern in thetrough of the continuous S-shaped patterns.It also features many changes.The ripple shows an obvious evolutionary relationship with the dragon and snake patterns.
Though abstract patterns were popular in the Western Zhou Dynasty and evolved from previous animal face，dragon and bird patterns，most of the mysterious meaning was lost，showing the general trend of art moving towards the rational in the Western Zhou Dynasty.
Since the Eastern Zhou Dynasty，bronze ware decorative design tended to be complex and refined with great varieties and endless changes.Generally speaking，they can be divided into two basic patterns:one is alively one such as the Panhui pattern formed by coiled small snakes；the other is clear and neat and precise patterns formed by triangular cloud patterns.The former is mostly in shallow relief，while the latter is splendid and luxurious with gilding and colored paintings.
The Panhui pattern was created to meet new aesthetic needs.It was developed from a smaller and deformed Kuilong pattern.The simple pattern forms a large area decoration by repeatedly connecting the patterns to produce a gorgeous effect like brocade.The larger image of the same work was named the Panchi pattern.
These kinds of designs were made with the pressing die method，where four continuous pattern combinations were pressed on the object as it was being made.The pressing die method ensured that the pattern style and form on the object were consistent，and a die was used repeatedly for several items，saving time and manpower.
The feather，or wave pattern，was also popular during the same time of the Panhui pattern.It was often applied on vessels such as Bu（vase）and Lei（drinking vessel）with a net-shaped design along its border.The relief pattern interval was very complex，looking like numerous fine feathers or roaring fine waves.But if examined carefully，viewers will find the head and talons of the dragon hiding in the pattern.
The deformed cloud pattern was normally in the frame of a triangle，circle or heart，embedded and inlaid with fine gold，sliver or rose copper wire，or embedded with kallaite.Some cloud patterns were in combination with floating and smooth cloud formations.This expressive method was passed on and used until the Han Dynasty.
