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Gui Vessel from Ancient China
China's bronze-casting traditions can be traced back to about 2000 BCE. Elaborate bronze vessels were made for ritual and ceremonial use, often to make offerings to ancestors. The materials and technology of this long-standing tradition were adapted to make the earliest East Asian coins. Cast-bronze alcohol vessel, Late Shang Dynasty, circa 1200-1050 BCE. From Henan Province, China. Bequeathed by Henry J. Oppenheim. (The British Museum, London).
Questions & Answers
When do jade artworks first appear in China?
- Jade was first used to create artworks in China c. 6000 BCE during the period of the Houli Culture (c. 6500 - c. 5500 BCE).
When was the Great Wall of China first built?
- The Great Wall of China was first constructed during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) but that wall did not resemble the famous wall known today.
What was the first dynasty of ancient China?
- The Xia Dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BCE) was the first dynasty of ancient China, thought to be mythical until archaeological evidence supported its existence.
Did the Xia Dynasty develop jade artwork?
- Work in jade was developed by the Hongshan Culture (c. 4700-2900 BCE) and the Liangzu Culture (c. 3400-2250 BCE) long before the Xia Dynasty was established. The Xia simply drew on earlier techniques of work in jade.
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External Links
Famous Chinese Paintings – China Online Museum
comuseum.com
Chinese Painting | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
metmuseum.org
Chinese Jade: British Museum
britishmuseum.org
A Spotlight on Early Chinese Jades | Index Magazine | Harvard Art Museums
harvardartmuseums.org
