A Summary of the Characteristics of the Bronze Wares of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods
Following the Western Zhou Dynasty, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period were another climax period of ancient Chinese bronze casting, and casting technology has made great progress. In terms of utensil production, it is mainly reflected in the highly developed mold casting, the application of the lost wax method, the mold printing method, the popularization of inlay technology, and the surface treatment technology of weapons. The mine site in Tonglushan, Daye County, Hubei Province reflects the huge scale of the bronze smelting and casting industry in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, reflecting the improvement of bronze productivity in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods.
On the basis of the late Western Zhou Dynasty, the bronze wares in the early Spring and Autumn Period had only a small amount of changes. In the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period, with the expansion of the political power of the vassal states and the struggle for hegemony among the great powers, the power of the high officials became more and more important. Due to the needs of etiquette and the practicality of life, bronze wares gradually produced a variety of new shapes. The late Spring and Autumn Period was the beginning of the Iron Age, but the arrival of the Iron Age did not immediately lead to the decline of the bronze industry. On the contrary, due to the general improvement of production technology in the Warring States Period, bronze casting technology also had new developments, reaching an unprecedented new level. The emergence of advanced techniques such as the lost-wax method and pattern stamping method, the use of separate casting methods and the use of gold and silver techniques enabled the casting of some bronzes with complex structures during this period, such as the Zunpan unearthed from the tomb of Zenghouyi in Hubei. The delicate and exquisite hollowed out pattern on the top is the fine work of the lost wax method; another example is a pair of lotus crane square pots unearthed in Xinzheng, Henan, with lying beasts and reptiles on the bottom and body of the pot, and cranes spreading their wings and singing on the top of the pot. The split casting method is adopted to produce a lifelike artistic effect.
The art of gold and silver mixing began in the Spring and Autumn Period, flourished in the Warring States Period, and gradually declined after the Western Han Dynasty. Its general method is: first cast or chisel the grooves required for patterns and inscriptions on the surface of the bronze ware in advance, then insert gold and silver wires and pieces, beat them firmly, and then polish them smooth with alabaster to highlight the patterns and inscriptions. decorative effect.
In the late Warring States period, due to the rapid development of the iron smelting industry, the high-level bronze casting industry completed the mission entrusted by history, and turned to a standardized and simple style.
In short, the bronze wares of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods showed a lively atmosphere of the new era in terms of shape, decoration, inscriptions, and manufacturing techniques, which is a reflection of social changes.
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