Spiviual Cssence in Bronzeware
2 min readThe Bronze Age refers to the period when bronze tools and weapons were commonly used. The Bronze Age in China lasted more than 1,500 years, from the Xia (2070-1600 BC) through the Shang(1600-1046 BC) and Western Zhou(1046-771BC) dynasties, to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).Large numbers of unearthed artifacts indicate a high level of ancient bronze civilization in the country. They feature rich political and religious themes, and are of high artistic value.
Great Ding for Yu
The ding was originally a cauldron for cooking, with three legs and two ears as handles. It later evolved into a ritual object.A representative example is the Great Ding for Yu, cast about 3,000 years ago during the reign of King Kang(1020-994BC) of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Now preserved in the Museum of Chinese History, the huge ding, more than a meter tall, is characteristic of the solemnity of the ritual objects of that time.
During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, those in power were keen to cast large-size bronzeware as state ritual objects or symbols of their power.The king of a state would bestow bronzeware on his officials to show his authority, while the latter would receive such articles as an honor.The Great Ding for Yu illustrates this power relationship. Its interior is inscribed with 291characters, unusually numerous for similar bronze objects of the period. They were instructions by King Kang to General Yu, warning him againstdrinking. The general was about to launch an expedition, and the king was reminding him ofthe fall of the Shang Dynasty, which had been replaced by Western Zhou.
The body of the Great Ding for Yu and its threelegs bear images of a taotie,a legendary animal notorious for its greed for food. The tiaotie has a head with a huge mouth. It does not have a body.It is not clear why such a strange, greedy beast was popularly used to decorate bronze ritual objects. One possible reason was probably to use its malevolent image to ward off evil.
