Great Compendium of Chinese Cultural Relics: Bronze Volume

Author: Ma Shizhi / Edited by: Ma Chengyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features:
Fragment 0007: Enamel Animal-Faced Pendant - Erlitou Culture. Costume Decorative Item. Rectangular with rounded corners, raised surface, inlaid with small green turquoise pieces to form an animal-faced pattern. The animal face has round eyes, a nose that runs through the body, and two horns that extend upwards, curling like tails, differing from the animal-faced patterns of the Shang Dynasty. The inlaid green turquoise pieces vary in shape and are arranged neatly. Discovered in 1981 at Erlitou, Yanshi, Henan. Currently housed in the Luoyang Work Team of the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Shang Dynasty (1600–1100 BC)
Height: 19 cm
Mouth Diameter: 15 cm
Belly Depth: 11.8 cm
Weight: 900 g
Fragment 0008: Qui-Fluted Tripod - Early Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Deep belly, small ears, hollow conical legs, where one ear and one leg align in a straight line, creating an unbalanced state. Below the rim is a single-line qui pattern bordered by a beaded pattern. A distinctive vessel of the Erlitou period of the Shang Dynasty. Discovered in 1962 at Sanlidong, Tongchuan, Shaanxi. Currently housed in the Shaanxi Provincial Museum.
Fragment 0009: Animal-Faced Fluted Tripod - Early Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Straight rim, flared brim, double upright ears, deep belly, round-bottomed, three hollow conical legs. The upper belly is decorated with a single-line animal-face pattern. Discovered in 1955 at Baizhuang, Zhengzhou, Henan. Currently housed in the Henan Provincial Museum.
Fragment 0010: Animal-Faced Fluted Tripod - Early Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Wide flared brim, square upright ears, deep belly, round-bottomed, hollow conical legs. The exterior has a groove with a raised ridge inside. The neck is adorned with fine-line animal-face patterns. The vessel has six rivets and still retains soot marks. Discovered in 1974 at Panlongcheng, Huangpi, Hubei. Currently housed in the Hubei Provincial Museum.
Fragment 0011: Animal-Faced Fluted Tripod - Early Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Flat flared rim, two upright ears, relatively straight belly, round-bottomed, three pillar legs. Animal-face patterns are decorated on the rim and legs. This large vessel is the first of its kind found in Shanxi. Discovered in 1990 at Podiya, Pudizhai, Pinglu, Shanxi. Currently housed in the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology.
Fragment 0012: Thunder-Cloud-Fluted Flat-Footed Tripod - Early Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Flared brim, upright ears, shallow belly, round-bottomed, three flat legs. The belly is adorned with a thunder-cloud-fluted band, flanked by beaded patterns above and below. The legs are decorated with qui patterns. This vessel, dominated by thunder-cloud flutes, is relatively common in Erlitou period bronze vessels. Discovered in 1982 at Zhengzhou, Henan. Currently housed in the Henan Provincial Institute of Archaeology.
Fragment 0013: Animal-Faced Corncob-Fluted Square Tripod - Early Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Straight rim, deep belly, flat bottom, cylindrical hollow legs. The rim is thickened, with a step-like lip, and the two upright ears slightly flare outwards. The belly is square-box-shaped. Animal-face patterns are arranged in groups on the upper belly and at each corner (total eight groups), while corncob-fluted bands are on the lower belly and sides. The upper legs are decorated with animal-face patterns. The belly and legs bear soot marks, indicating long use. This tripod is a heavy bronze vessel cast using the multi-mold method, with precise and aesthetic design, reflecting the bronze casting level of the early Shang Dynasty. Discovered in 1974 at Zhangzhai South Street, Zhengzhou, Henan. A pair was unearthed together, with identical form and patterns, this one being slightly larger. Currently housed in the National Museum of Chinese History.
Fragment 0014: Animal-Faced Fluted Tripod - Late Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Flared rim, upright ears, slightly drooping deep belly, cylindrical hollow legs. A single animal-face pattern is decorated below the rim, and the legs are also adorned with animal-face patterns. The vessel is cast from four molds, with visible seams, indicating a more primitive casting method compared to the Central Plains. The discovery of this tripod provides material evidence for studying the early bronze culture in the Xiliao River Basin. Discovered in 1981 at Jiefangyingzi, Wengnüte Banner, Inner Mongolia. Currently housed in the Wengnüte Banner Museum.
Fragment 0015: Animal-Faced Fluted Tripod - Late Shang. Food Preparation Vessel. Flared rim, curved trough-shaped upright ears, deep belly, cylindrical hollow legs connected to the belly. Six groups of animal-face patterns are decorated below the rim, showcasing late Shang bronze decorative features. The legs are adorned with animal-face patterns, and the central ridge not only conceals mold seams but also enhances the decorative effect. The large, stable form makes it an important resource for studying the distribution of Shang culture in Liaoning. Discovered in 1978 at Xiaobotaigou, Kailuo, Liaoning. Currently housed in the Liaoning Provincial Museum.