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In the ritualistic society of ancient China, bronze was employed
primarily for the casting of ceremonial temple vessels used in sacrifices to the goods of heaven, earth, the mountains, and
rivers. They were also used in vessels for banquets, honor awards, and funerals for the nobility. Because bronze is a durable
material resistant to cracking and breakage, it was used by kings to cast inscribed vessels honoring the ancestors of dukes,
princes, and ministers who had made a great contribution to their nation or sovereign, to establish a model and reminder for
alter generations.
Bronzes can be classed into four
main types, based on function: food vessels, wine vessels, water vessels, and musical instruments. Within each type, endless
variation is to be found in form and design, fully demonstrating the rich imagination and creativity of the Chinese of the
time.
In most of the line designs used on bronzes,
a main motif combines with a border design, pointing up its three-dimensional character. The ``beast of gluttony'' design
was the most prominent in Shang Dynasty (16th-11th centuries B.C.) vessels. After the Western Chou period (11th century B.C.
to 771 B.C.), bird designs gradually came to be used for decorative main designs, still maintaining the principle of symmetry.
After the mid and late Western Chou period, chain link patterns, fish scale patterns, and wave patterns for the most part
superseded animals as subject matter for the main design of bronze vessels. The principle of symmetry began at this point
to be broken, and substituted by repeating chain link or band designs that encircled the vessel body.
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