Similarities and Differences in the Jia Vessels of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties

In early China existed three very powerful dynasties, two being the Shang and the Zhou. Despite the Shang existing on the eastern coast of China and the Zhou existing inland, in 1050 BCE the Zhou lead a revolt that crowned Cheng king and led to the demise of the Shang dynasty. Both dynasties upheld a pseudo-feudal society with the king remaining in the capital and his male family members residing in smaller cities to enforce the king’s rule. The rule of the king was closely watched, as he was the person whose rule reflected his Mandate of Heaven. This idea of the importance of remaining in the favor of Heaven as well as the stress on the continuation of the human soul in the afterlife serve as two of the most important aspects in the Shang and Zhou societies. As a result of existing socially accepted principles, a large amount of bronze vessels arose in China, such as the jia vessel. The two jia vessels, one from the 13th century BCE Shang period and the other from the 10th century BCE Western Zhou period, have similar features that slightly differ in style due to evolving artistic taste, political philosophies, and social conventions of the time.
The two jia vessels from the Shang and Zhou dynasties were both created through the bronze piece-mold casting method. The first step of this method is for the artisan to make a clay model, which, after it hardens, will be used to place another layer of clay on top of it in order for the design to be transferred. Once the mold is fired it is then carved down to the appropriate thickness and the bronze in poured in to cool. Finally, once the bronze has cooled, the mold is then broken with the bronze piece remaining. Before the mold is fired, however, the artisan has the opportunity to inc...

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...were buried with everyday objects and personal possessions to aid the deceased in their afterlife. A large amount of artifacts found buried in the tombs of these people were bronze vessels much like those of the Shang jia and the Zhou jia.
The Shang jia of the 13th century BCE and the Western Zhou jia of the 10th century BCE are similar in their basic characteristics but differ in the artistic techniques used to make them as well as their decorations. The functionality of the two vessels can be attributed to the idea of a Mandate of Heaven, requiring a ruler to uphold special ceremonies in order to remain in control as well as the notion of the continuation of the earthly life into the afterlife. Furthermore, the comparison between the two jia vessels serve as a model for the ever-changing artistic style, political philosophies, social conventions of early China.