Material: bronze

Size: 6 x 10 x 7.5 inches

 

First, take a minute or two to look closely at the images above. Write down your reaction to this object--what details do you notice? Why did you pick this object for your response paper? Make notes on things that you notice about it. Also, write down any questions you have about it--what kinds of things would you want to know about this object? Remember the questions we ask in class. You don't need to have answers for these questions yet, but keep them in your notes.

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Once you have some questions written down, try to answer them by reading the information I've provided below about this object and its context.​

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What do we know about this object?​

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This is a cast bronze vessel produced in China. We looked at one of these in class, though it was a different shape (more like a gravy boat) and used for liquids. This vessel, called a gui, was used to hold food offerings at the tombs of revered ancestors. Much cheaper clay versions were used in daily life for food storage.

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This vessel was produced using piece-mold casting; China is the only place in the world which developed this method. In piece-mold casting, a model is made of the object to be cast, and a clay mold taken of the model. The mold is then cut in sections to release the model, and the sections are reassembled after firing to form the mold for casting. If the object to be cast is a vessel, a core has to be placed inside the mold to provide the vessel’s cavity. The piece-mold method was most likely the only one used in China until at least the end of the Shang dynasty. An advantage of this rather cumbersome way of casting bronze was that the decorative patterns could be carved or stamped directly on the inner surface of the mold before it was fired. This technique enabled the bronzeworker to achieve a high degree of sharpness and definition in even the most intricate designs.

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Look closely for animal shapes, especially dragons/serpents, and the thundercloud motif we saw on the bronze vessel from class. Another common design on these bronze vessels is the taotie, a symmetrical face (usually eyes and maybe a nose, but no mouth/jaw). Chinese writings from several centuries later describe the taotie as a spirit that eats/devours people, and is therefore potentially dangerous--though perhaps not to the owner of the vessel? Why might an artist put a terrifying face on an object like this?

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Some things to consider in your response paper:​

• What was your response to this object? What drew your eye? You are encouraged to use first person (I/me) in your response paper. I want to know what you think.

• Consider the artistic details of this object carefully. What kinds of decisions did the artist make when they were creating this piece, and why? Use your art terminology.

• Also consider the historical context of this sculpture. What is the meaning of the various animals or symbols within Chinese culture of this period?

• Who might have owned this vessel? Imagine it being used in a ritual honoring the owner's ancestors. Can you connect this ritual use to the different animals/symbols on the vessel and their meaning?