https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x China Artifacts en-us 2018-04-11 15:03:44 UTC 2018-04-19 15:03:18 UTC hello@padlet.com leah_byrd_23 https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/250755905

Real and imaginary animals are frequently integrated into the surface decoration of early Chinese bronzes. Naturalistic representations of living animals were typically produced in southern China, while in northern provinces mythical creatures were an important component of the vessel's form, as seen on these ewers (guang) for pouring grain wine]]> 2018-04-11 15:04:50 UTC https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/250755905 leah_byrd_23 https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253465192

Fantastic combinations of animals visually unite the container and lid of this ewer. Without its lid, this early guang, created in the thirteenth century BCE, looks like a water bird. Its beaked head and long neck serve as the handle. Viewed from another angle, the bird's tail becomes the neck and chest of a tiger. Looking from the side, its wings and feet seem to join with the owl's head directly above. This surprisingly inventive combination of animal forms resulted in a unique yet functional object.]]> 2018-04-19 15:00:15 UTC https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253465192 leah_byrd_23 https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253465614

According to contemporary sources, numerous vessels were unearthed in the winter of 1929 outside the modern city of Luoyang in western Henan province. This location was highly significant during the Zhou dynasty (founded around 1050 BCE), when it served as a secondary capital called Chengzhou. From there military and government officials could monitor and supervise the Zhou empire as it expanded to the east and south.]]> 2018-04-19 15:00:55 UTC https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253465614 leah_byrd_23 https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253465988

Clearly visible on one of this vessel's long sides is a cast inscription that records events associated with a key figure in early Zhou history: the Grand Protector or "Taibao," Duke Shi of Shao. Since this fangdingmentions the Taibao's role in creating commemorative cauldrons dedicated to Wu and Cheng, the first two Zhou kings, it was probably made during the reign of the third king, Kang. A scribe or chronicler named Da must have somehow assisted the Taibao in this or another effort. According to the inscription, he received a white horse for his service.]]> 2018-04-19 15:01:30 UTC https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253465988 leah_byrd_23 https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253466428

The archaistic style of decoration, with the eyes, brows, horns, ears, snout, mouth, and legs of a taotie, might have been purposefully chosen to recall ancient times, but the lengthy cast inscription inside the lid was a recent innovation. The full inscription records events surrounding a royal gift of wine and cowry shells, and the last four characters name a family and clan group that apparently served as court scribes or chroniclers. Since at least three other known bronze vessels bear the same inscription, this fanghe was likely part of a set created at the same time.]]> 2018-04-19 15:02:21 UTC https://padlet.com/leah_byrd_23/207921023l1x/wish/253466428