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Gain access to this incredible resource through either a monthly or a yearly subscription and search the entire collection from your desktop, compare multiple images side by side and zoom into the minute details of the images. Visit www.davidrumsey.com/amica for more information on the collection, click on the link below the revolving thumbnail to the right, or email us at amica@luna-img.com . Creator Nationality: Asian; Far East Asian; Chinese Creator Name-CRT: Chinese Title: Pole Fitting View: Full View Creation Start Date: 0 Creation End Date: 0 Creation Date: Eastern Zhou period, 3rd century BCE Creation Place: North China Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects Classification Term: Ornaments Materials and Techniques: Bronze inlaid with silver Dimensions: 2 3/4 x 7 1/8 x 2 1/4 in. (7 x 18.1 x 5.7 cm) AMICA Contributor: Asia Society Owner Location: New York, New York, USA ID Number: 1979.105a-b Credit Line: Asia Society: The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection Rights: http://www.asiasociety.org Context: The description of the Shang (c. 1700-c. 1050 BCE) and Zhou (c. 1050-221 BCE) periods in Chinese history as a Great Bronze Age stems from both the astonishing variety of shapes and motifs found in their ritual vessels and the sheer technical complexity involved in producing them. The Zhou, one of a number of peoples who inhabited parts of northwest China, defeated the Shang and established a capital in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. This early part of the dynasty is known as the Western Zhou (c. 1050-771 BCE). Rivals ultimately forced the Zhou to move their base farther east to Luoyang in Henan Province. The second half of the period is called the Eastern Zhou (770-221 BCE), probably best known as the age of Confucius. Silver inlay was used to create the flowing spirals and curves that embellish this bronze pole fitting with a clasp in the shape of a crouching tiger. The fluidity and openness of the inlay decoration helps to date this piece to the 3rd century BCE, because the design of earlier bronzes with this method of decoration is generally denser and more static. Also called 'tube couplers,' pole ornaments such as this were most likely used to join two parts of a wooden pole. The elegance of this example suggests that it was used as a decorative element for a chariot, palanquin, or some other extravagance. The appearance of abstract designs and inlaid decoration and the use of bronze to make luxurious and beautiful items for everyday use illustrate the shifting roles of bronze items during the last part of the Zhou dynasty. Bronzes were no longer a privilege of the ruling class, and bronze vessels once reserved primarily for rituals were now used at state banquets, in family festivities, as diplomatic gifts, and in dowries. Related Document Description: Asia Society. Handbook of the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection. New York: Asia Society, [1981], p. 51. Related Document Description: Bunker, Emmy Cadwalader. The Art of Eastern Chou, 772-221 B.C. New York: Chinese Art Society of America, 1962, p. 26. AMICA ID: ASIA.1979.105a-b AMICA Library Year: 1998 Media Metadata Rights: Copyright, Asia Society AMICA PUBLIC RIGHTS: a) Access to the materials is granted for personal and non-commercial use. b) A full educational license for non-commercial use is available from Cartography Associates at www.davidrumsey.com/amica/institution_subscribe.html c) Licensed users may continue their examination of additional materials provided by Cartography Associates, and d) commercial rights are available from the rights holder. Home
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