The Shang Dynasty invented and, over the years, perfected the technique of casting a bronze vessel from a clay mold assembly, which this wine vessel has also been made from using those techniques (Cantor). This mold was formed around a model of the vessel and was then cut into sections that were carved or impressed in the desired design, in this case the braided or grid design, on the inner or outer surfaces. The decorated clay piece-mold was then fired and reassembled around a clay core. Small bronze spacers were used to hold the piece-mold and the clay core apart. Then, molten bronze was poured into the mold. Using this piece-mold casting technique helped the bronze worker to achieve greater sharpness and definition in any intricate design …show more content…
(MetMuseum). It was very likely that a male bronze worker worked hard on this wine vessel since Chinese women never did hard metal work during that time. Women in the early Zhang dynasty could reach a high position whether in government or business; therefore, lower class, presumably, type of work like this were not meant for them. Especially since only the ruling house or nobility used vessels cast of bronze. Although there were multiple techniques for bronze depending on the area, it was most likely that this wine vessel was made with this piece-mold casting technique that was popular and growing in the area along the Yellow River since it was emerging as the center of the most advanced and literate cultures of the time when the Zhou dynasty rulers had power over most of central China. However, that power declined with the move of the capitol to Luoyang. The Bronze Age in China was quite a long age that began around 2000 B.C. It was a time where growth and maturity of a civilization was visible and remained so for another 2,0000 years. In the earlier stages of this age, the progression of urbanization correlated with the newly established social order. During this time in China, and many other civilizations, ritualization was what shaped and kept social order in place. Rituals were highly practiced because the Shang dynasty people believed that the spirits of their ancestors in the supernatural world would always hold control over the living's well-being. Therefore, they felt the necessity to offer prayers and food constantly to their ancestors' spirits so that they can still live well on Earth (npm.gov). Although every Shang dynasty person believed in rituals, typically only those of the ruling house or nobility used vessels cast of bronze to offer food or wine to their ancestors similar to this Ritual Wine Vessel (jue). Since rituals were such an important factor in social functions, the idea of using bronze in early rituals continued. It was evident that they deeply believed in offering the best they could for the dead based on the unique forms and intricate details of these objects. This Ritual Wine Vessel (jue) is a perfect example. With its unique look and design, this Ritual Wine Vessel (jue) has served many important purposes during its time and probably have been offered to the ancestor spirits multiple times as well.
Surely, it was easily recognizable during the Early Zhou dynasty that it was a ritual wine vessel and for the wealthy to use for their offerings. But today, at first glance, it may look intimidating with its sharp points from top to bottom. The vessel has a unique shape and green patina color that catches the eye whether looking disgusting or elegant. It is also not very inviting with its rough looking texture, long spout, and awkward handle. Right where the rim of the cup starts and the spout ends are a pair of capped posts rising from the rim. Opposite from the spout is a sharp leaf-shaped rim, which could be easily mistaken as the spout, since wine could be poured out from that end too, technically. The design was modeled after a bird in flight. However, with a closer look, the detailed work on the vessel shows. This one has a somewhat thin braided or grid-like design imprinted around the whole cup, which makes it unique from other bronze vessels. Most Shang bronze vessels have a dominant motif of a frontal monster or animal-like mask known as a taotie. It typically had horns, eyes, nose, upper jaw, fangs, horns, eyebrows, and ears; therefore, sometimes could be known as opposed animal profiles or split representation as well (Cantor). Some versions include legs and a tail. With the closer look, the strong structure is more apparent as well. It is a unique one resembling a camera's tripod, though pointier and could actually be real sharp. Developed from the gu which was a goblet used for a single drinker, this jue was considered a small ewer on legs. It was a wine cup that only ancestor spirits could "hold and touch", not to mention its large size. This specific Ritual Wine Vessel measures a little over eight inches in height and a little over six inches in width due to
the wide spout and back end. The actual living may be fearful of such an odd and pointy shape, though this bronze wine vessel was also used in occasions that both the living and dead spirits shared when the dead are being honored or offered. Surely, then or now this Ritual Wine Vessel (jue) is truly unique inside and out. Both the Shang and Zhou dynasties valued ritualization during the Bronze Age in China. Bronzes are a number of ancient Chinese Art's most important pieces, since all these bronze vessels were being used to offer to their ancestors and were passed down generation after generation to use to continue for their offerings of food and wine. This Ritual Wine Vessel (jue) specifically was used for wine ceremonies or ritual offerings to ancestors in ceremonial halls over tombs, family temples, or ritual banquets in which both living and dead members of a family were a part of. Sometimes, bronze vessels like this were placed into the tomb as well with the deceased it was its original owner. It was so the living could continue to pay respects to them in the afterlife; they were known as grave goods. Otherwise, bronze vessels were mostly acquired by collectors or regular people when tombs' topsoil eroded and the vessels were uncovered (npm.gov). Realistically, tombs were not the best place to store their valuable bronze vessels. This type of Chinese jue was originally designed to transport liquid from a storage jar to drinking cups, so pouring downwards was an important part of its service. Usually, it held heated fragrant millet wine and was held in hand depending on the ceremony or used in burial practices in fancier tombs for their ancestor spirits. Wine offerings may also take place during the day or at night time depending on the luckier hour and the ancestors' time of death. By studying the history of the Bronze Age in China, how bronze vessels were made, and their importance to both Shang and Zhou dynasties, we can really get to know and understand the object and its past life. This Ritual Wine Vessel (jue) is no longer just a green, pointy object behind a display case with a plaque that does not say much. It was one of character, quality, and importance. We may not know how many times it has served its purpose and for which spirits, but we know it is waiting there in the first display case in the Asian Art wing of the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University with its fellow bronze vessel peers waiting for someone to discover its story.
The durability of clay has brought forth an immense abundance of Greek pottery, a craft mastered by Athenian artists. Archeologists have found hundreds of varieties in creation, shape, function, style, and artwork in Archaic vases. The museum has been blessed with one of these priceless artifacts; it is the duty of this establishment to accumulate as much data as possible surrounding the vase. In first identifying technique, dimensions, and condition, as well as describing shape, ornament, and figural scenery, one may then begin to analyze the vase. This serves the general purpose of understanding where the artifact stands in Greek culture and history. Through the examination and research of figural scenes, it is then possible to compare these to other scenes and styles of the same and other painters. Finally, one can then hypothesize where, why, and how this piece was used.
Despite the artistic beauty of the two vases, both were made for more than just decoration. The vase depicting Artemis is what was called a Bell Krater and was used for mixing the popular Greek drink of water and wine. The other, called a Lekythos was used to pour liquids during elaborate burial ceremonies to honor the wealthy. Another main function of pottery in many cases is to tell a story, which is exactly what Artemis Slaying Actaeon intends. The vase depicts the goddess of the hunt, Artemis, slaying a hunter Actaeon, whom accidentally intruded on her bathing while on a hunt. On the other hand, Woman and Maid is intended as a remembrance of a wealthy woman, and depicts an offering of a chest of valuables from a slave girl to the deceased.
The Guanyin sculpture depicts a male, interpretable by his male chest, seating in a royal-ease pose. He has a crown, which has a person in the meditative position carved on it. That person could be Buddha. Underneath the crown, the hair looks as though it is nicely braided along the edges of the crown. The eyes are partially closed. There are two pieces of objects, perhaps used to depict jewelry, attached to
The pieces of sculpture are both carved using the subtractive method of sculpting from stone. However, the types of stone used were very different. The sculpture of Mycerinus and Kha-merer-nebty II was carved from a stone called greywacke, a dark colored, very hard stone the Egyptians prized for sculpture despite the fact t...
In ancient Greece, art was a means of capturing and explaining the unexplainable. All throughout Greek vases, either ancient mythology was expressed or reality was shown in an idealistic form. The Bell Krater by a follower of the Niobid Painter, exhibited two pieces of art; one on either side of the vessel. Created during 460-450 B.C. side A depicts the myth of Theseus and his pursuit of Helen, while side B shows a maid bringing news to the Queen. This ceramic Krater used the same red-figure technique on both sides, however the they are seemingly painted by two different artists. The human figures appear in the flesh color of the original clay with the details and background painted using black slips. The contrasting sides not only have different
Black-figure painting was first established in Corinth, c 700 BCE then Athens was influenced by the technique and got control over it (Cartwright, 2012). The entire process was made out of iron clay found in the area mixed with potash pigment, water and leave it evaporate under the sun until it’s thick and settle. Move on to wedging process where human used energy to make the clay combine together and create the smoothness. The forms of potter are made on the potter wheel and are control by human’s hands, which is fascinating because people will have respect toward a finished product. After shaping the entire form, it’s then bake inside a kiln until it turns black (Britannica, 2014). Black-figure painting usually presents a storytelling by depicting animals or people in silhouette and sometime th...
The object pictured above belongs to a group of artifacts known as incantation bowls, demon bowls, devil-trap bowls, or simply magic bowls. They were crafted by the first millennia Anno Domini people of Mesopotamia and are found, perhaps exclusively, in modern day Iraq. They can be dated as early as 3rd century AD and as late as 8th century. The majority date between 400AD and 700AD. Known pieces in public collections number around 2000 with several times that number likely to exist in private collections. (Saar 2) This report will expand on these statements as well as explore incantation bowls’ production, their function, and what little is known (or provided) of the particular bowl from the Kelsey museum. First, however, we’ll look at the historical setting of the location and era.
On the Warka Vase shown on register 4 naked men carry three types of pottery and at least three of these pottery pieces hold some objects, this implies that all three types of pottery are holding some object or objects, since the men are taking the pottery to the same location. One of these pottery pieces appears to be a piece made to pour, and hold, liquids. This pouring vessel is again seen in an image on another vase (20), this vase seem t...
This figure was made between 1374-1521 CE by the Mixteca/Tlaxcala at Puebla, Mexico. This figure is made up of basalt rock. The description card that was provided by the museum tells me about this piece is that it represents an Aztec rain god from Central Mexico. The eyes symbolized water and the fangs, jaguar-like, represents thunder and lightning. Therefore, the characteristic represents life, sometimes wrathful deity. This figure suggests that it could represent Tlaloque, one of the rain gods that served Tlaloc. This god is said to have the power to control the weather. Therefore, it is important for Aztec’s agriculture. These sculptures are placed all over the fields or in a spring for the Tlaloc’s blessing to rain to harvest goods. Just looking at it, I cannot tell what the purpose it served. The sculpture does not seem to be telling a story. There are still unanswered questions and mysteries about it. Why did they create a rain god? Why did they believe that the rain god affects the weather? Is it a
The Holy Grail, according to legend and “Indiana Jones,” is the cup that Jesus and his disciples drank from during the last supper. Later writings also tell that the cup was used to catch Jesus's blood while he was being crucified. While sometimes depicted as a rather fancy, jeweled chalice, it is much more likely that Jesus, the poor son of a carpenter, would have drunk from a simple wooden cup (Ford).
It’s necessary to mention that there are a few patterns, such as spiral-cloud shape, or animals, such as taotie, frequently appear on a large proportion of bronzes excavated from Shang and Zhou dynasties. The fact is, however, even though most of the bronzes have same decorations, upon detail comparison, discrepancy is everywhere: taoties on the two vessels are generally the same but completely dissimilar in detail. Am I fascinated by this incredible property of bronze vessel from ancient China since it represented ancient Chinese’s pursue of creativity and uniqueness. The decoration and technique system created during Bronze Age may not as accomplished as the other inventions like four great inventions created in later China; it’s the essence of culture at that time and embodiment of the intelligence of ancient Chinese.
The ancient Egyptians used a number of techniques to improve the look of their pottery. Decorations were incised, painted or stuck on and black coloring was the result of exposing the vessels to smoke. Slip, an often pigmented mixture of water and clay of the consistency of cream, was applied to smooth the surface and color the earthenware. Wash, a mixture of pigment, such as red ochre, and water changed or intensified the color of the pottery. Glazing began during the 4th millennium BCE, mostly blue mezzomaiolica, lead based glazing, until Roman times, when true tin-based faience began to appear. An example of the blue glaze is on the statue of a monkey to the right.
In modern society, Greek pottery is considered an art which is regarded as much for its aesthetic splendor as its historical significance. However, the role of pottery in ancient Greek culture was far more functional as its primary use was for the transportation and storage of such liquids as water and wine (Encyclopedia Britannica). Due to the durability of the fired clay material, Greek pottery is the only remaining art form that allows us to explore the evolution of this ancient culture. Through that examination, three distinct stylistic periods have been unveiled: Geometric, Orientalizing and Archaic. This analysis will detail these distinct periods as well as three design techniques prevalently used: black figure, red figure and white ground
When considering a career as a ceramic artist one should consider the history of the career. The use of clay to create products can be traced back to ancient times. When clay is used to create products it is known by the broad term of ceramics. According to an article by Eileen De Guire, the first use of clay was to create ceramic figurines around 24,000 BC. Moreover, as far back as 10,000 BC ceramic vessels were used to carry and store food and water. Meaning ceramics is one of the oldest professions.
There are two types of pottery; a bowl and decorative piece of clay. A bowl can only be done by a pottery wheel while decorative piece of clay are best done by hands. Whatever the choice you have made, just make sure create a hollow on the pottery and vent hole for air flow during firing.