Berthold Laufer's Bronze Collection

The Bronze Age in China

The Bronze Age in China (2000-850 BC) was a time of cultural exchange.

Although there is debate about when it officially began, small quantities of bronze objects appeared in Neolithic sites before 1750-1530 BC. Metal objects were beginning to appear in the north mainland of China from 3000 BC. “The mainland was recognized to have a vigorous Bronze Age with diverse and spectacular bronzes produced by several cultures over a wide geographic area” (Barnes, 181, 2015). The development of creating unique bronze materials were important for ritual purposes and social status. Bronzes were used in rituals or were given as gifts and symbolized wealth and power in society. They played an important part in organizing societies in China.

As time passed, different provinces were governing and distributing materials. For example, areas along the Yellow River in Henan Province were known to be centers of the distribution of materials in which a literate society became a political and military power of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.) (The Met Museum, 2004). Shapes, materials, sizes, and designs of bronze artifacts varied among conquered provinces. Bronzes were prominent during the Shang and Zhou dynasties because of their fine skills of working copper alloys. Generally, bronzes were controlled by elites and may have been made in manufacturing centers by artisans. They were traded or gifted to other regional leaders and passed down from generation to generation.

Background

Art dealers acquired objects from ancient burial graves in the Shaanxi Province. Many of the burial goods came from the Han period (206 BCE–220 CE) as well as from families who had objects passed down from generation to generation through their ancestors. Many of Laufer’s bronze collections were valuable heirlooms from the belongings of the families in Xi’an, Shanxi Province. While Laufer was on the T.B. Blackstone Expedition in China, in the capital of Xi’an, Shaanxi province, he had the opportunity to meet Mr. Su, an educated Muslim antiquarian, who comes from a long family line of antiquarians business since the seventeenth century. Objects Laufer collected from such dealers included bronze and copper weapons, implements, vessels, and other ritualistic items.

Examples

Libation cup

This libation cup was used to pour wine for worship purposes. It would be to worship and honor spirits of the dead. The shape of the cup was an inverted helmet and was from the Shang dynasty (1766-1154 B.C.). There was an explosion of copper, bronze, and gold for creating tools in warfare, elaborate ritual, and everyday materials. In the early Shang period, bronze working was based on ceramic vessels for meal preparation and drinking. The sword-and-helmet libation cup was carefully constructed for balance. Interestingly, the prescripts of the ancient rituals would help determine the shape of the object (Laufer, 12,1907). Vessels were manufactured in large quantities because it was a time period of worshipping the spirits of the dead.

Laufer collected a bell, large bowl, vase with handles, and a vessel for carrying wine from the Shaanxi province during the T.B. Blackstone Expedition. The vessel was made during the Zhou dynasty (B.C. 1122-247) (Laufer, 12,1934). It may have been used for ritual purposes, possibly for worshipping the dead.

The bell was encrusted with gold and silver, and the inlaying technique was well practiced. It was made during the Ming dynasty or possibly later. (1368-1644 A.D) The vase with handles was designed into the shape of animals' heads. Bells would represent high ranking in society because of the encrusted golds, silvers, and coppers. Families would pass down the bells from generation to generation. Often, they would be designed with animalistic characters that were either realistic or mystical. Artisans would use divine techniques to master the works of creating large bells.

During the Zhou dynasty, there would be numerous workshops to manufacture trading goods.

During an art movement under the Song dynasty (960-1279), bronze vases became popular for people who wanted to showcase objects that represented human nature and elegance. Such bronzes were used as decor in homes, as presents to give to others, and may have been used during ritual practices. Bronze objects were highly valuable and marked the social status of the family who possessed them. Objects such as the bronze bells emphasized political status and wealth. Makers of bronze musical instruments presented new forms of sophistication in their work. People wanted to purchase items that were aesthetically pleasing as well as harmonious (Laufer, 13,1907).

Flower vase with a hundred rings

“The Vase with a Hundred Rings” was adorned with a hundred rings on four sides. It was one of Laufer’s precious items from the Song dynasty (960-1126 A.D.).

Laufer stated, “In its shape, it imitates one of the honorific vases of the Zhou, which at that time by imperial grace were devoted to the commemoration of exceptionally heroic deeds and bestowed upon worthy officials as a mark of distinction” (Laufer,13,1907).

During the Song and later Ming periods, vases were used for decoration. Individuals would use the vases for flower arrangements. Artists of the Song dynasty incorporated rings on the vases for their aesthetic and meaning. Significantly, the vases would be given to individuals who showed nobility to their community. That is one of the reasons it held valuable significance to the Song dynasty.

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