Complete Collection of Chinese Bronzes, Volume 4: Shang (Part 4)

Author: Editorial Committee of the Complete Collection of Chinese Bronzes
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-09-01
Features: Early Western Zhou bronzes largely inherited the style of late Shang bronzes, while introducing some new modifications and improvements in form and design, developing their own style in casting inscriptions. From the middle to late Western Zhou period, bronze decorative art shifted from mysterious and enigmatic to simple and elegant, with a preference for concise and clear designs. Qiyi in Zhouyuan, Fenghao in Zongzhou, and Luoyi in Chengzhou were three important capitals before the Zhou conquest of Shang and during the three hundred years of the Western Zhou Dynasty, serving as the political centers of the Western Zhou Kingdom and residential areas for royal members and key officials. As a result, large quantities of bronzes with diverse types and rich inscriptions have been unearthed in these three capital regions. These bronzes, whether in their form design, decorative patterns, inscribed scripts, or casting techniques, are highly representative, showcasing distinctive characteristics and stylistic features of their time, holding significant places in the history of bronze development. This book selects one hundred and seventy bronzes from the three capitals of the Western Zhou, including fine examples from Taiwan Province and overseas collections.