🏺Archaeology of Ancient China Unit 8 – Ancient Chinese Art & Craftsmanship

Key Periods and Dynasties

• Neolithic period (c. 10,000-2000 BCE) marked the emergence of pottery and jade carvings
• Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) known for bronze casting, oracle bones, and elaborate tombs
• Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-256 BCE) saw the development of lacquerware, silk weaving, and the emergence of Confucianism and Taoism
  • Western Zhou period (c. 1046-771 BCE) characterized by the use of bronze ritual vessels and the development of the Chinese writing system
  • Eastern Zhou period (c. 770-256 BCE) marked by the rise of iron metallurgy and the flourishing of philosophical schools
• Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) famous for the Terracotta Army and the standardization of weights, measures, and currency
• Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE) known for the Silk Road trade, the invention of paper, and the development of glazed ceramics
  • Western Han period (202 BCE-9 CE) saw the expansion of the empire and the construction of the Great Wall
  • Eastern Han period (25-220 CE) marked by the spread of Buddhism and the development of the Chinese civil service examination system

Artistic Styles and Techniques

• Bronze casting using the lost-wax method allowed for the creation of intricate designs and shapes
• Jade carving techniques included sawing, drilling, and abrasion to create ceremonial objects and ornaments
• Lacquerware involved applying layers of tree sap to create durable and decorative objects (boxes, trays, and cups)
• Silk weaving and embroidery used complex patterns and vibrant colors to create luxurious textiles
• Pottery and ceramics evolved from simple earthenware to high-fired stoneware and porcelain
  • Glazing techniques introduced during the Han Dynasty added color and shine to ceramic surfaces
• Painting styles ranged from detailed court paintings to expressive landscapes and calligraphy
• Sculpture in stone, wood, and clay depicted religious figures, animals, and mythological creatures

Major Art Forms and Artifacts

• Bronze ritual vessels (ding, gui, and zun) used in ancestral worship and court ceremonies
• Jade carvings (bi discs and cong tubes) served as symbols of power, status, and spiritual beliefs
• Lacquerware objects (boxes, trays, and cups) showcased the skill of craftsmen and the wealth of the elite
• Silk textiles (robes, banners, and paintings) demonstrated the sophistication of Chinese weaving techniques
• Pottery and ceramics (vases, bowls, and figurines) reflected the daily lives and artistic preferences of the people
  • Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang showcased the scale and precision of Chinese ceramic production
• Paintings on silk, paper, and walls depicted landscapes, court scenes, and religious themes
• Sculptures (Buddhist statues, tomb guardians, and horse figurines) served religious and funerary purposes

Materials and Tools

• Bronze alloys made from copper, tin, and lead were used for casting ritual vessels and weapons
• Jade, a hard and durable stone, was prized for its beauty and symbolic significance
  • Nephrite and jadeite were the two main types of jade used in ancient China
• Lacquer, derived from the sap of the lacquer tree, was applied in layers to create glossy and water-resistant surfaces
• Silk, produced by silkworms, was woven into fine textiles and used as a medium for painting and calligraphy
• Clay, sourced from local deposits, was the primary material for pottery and ceramic production
  • Kaolin clay, rich in kaolinite, was used to make high-quality porcelain
• Stone (marble, limestone, and sandstone) was used for sculpture and architectural elements
• Wood (pine, camphor, and bamboo) was used for furniture, architecture, and sculptural purposes
• Pigments (mineral and organic) were used to add color to paintings, textiles, and lacquerware

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

• Dragons represented power, strength, and good fortune in Chinese mythology and art
• Phoenix, a mythical bird, symbolized beauty, grace, and the empress in imperial China
• Taotie, a zoomorphic mask design, was commonly found on bronze vessels and represented gluttony or greed
• Yin and Yang, the concept of complementary opposites, was often depicted in art and design
• Four Gentlemen (plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum) represented the four seasons and the virtues of a scholar-gentleman
• Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) were believed to be the fundamental components of the universe and influenced art and design
• Buddhist and Taoist symbols (lotus, Eight Immortals, and Bagua) were incorporated into religious art and architecture
• Auspicious symbols (cranes, peaches, and bats) were used to convey wishes for longevity, prosperity, and happiness

Influential Artists and Craftsmen

• Gu Kaizhi (c. 344-406 CE), a renowned painter known for his scroll paintings and portraiture
• Wang Xizhi (c. 303-361 CE), considered the greatest calligrapher in Chinese history, known for his cursive script
• Yan Liben (c. 600-673 CE), a court painter famous for his portraits of emperors and historical figures
• Wu Daozi (c. 680-760 CE), a prolific painter of the Tang Dynasty, known for his dynamic brushwork and religious themes
• Li Cheng (919-967 CE), a landscape painter of the Five Dynasties period, known for his monumental mountain scenes
• Guo Xi (c. 1020-1090 CE), a Northern Song Dynasty painter, known for his misty landscapes and the concept of "the angle of totality"
• Su Shi (1037-1101 CE), a scholar, poet, and calligrapher, known for his expressive and spontaneous style
• Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322 CE), a Yuan Dynasty painter and calligrapher, known for his revival of classical styles

Archaeological Sites and Discoveries

• Banpo Village (c. 4500-3750 BCE), a Neolithic site in Xi'an, known for its pottery and silk production
• Sanxingdui (c. 1200-1000 BCE), a Bronze Age site in Sichuan, famous for its unique bronze masks and tree-shaped artifacts
• Terracotta Army (c. 210-209 BCE), a collection of over 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots discovered in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang
• Mawangdui (c. 200-150 BCE), a Han Dynasty tomb in Changsha, known for its well-preserved silk paintings and textiles
• Mogao Caves (4th-14th centuries CE), a complex of Buddhist cave temples in Dunhuang, famous for its wall paintings and sculptures
• Longmen Grottoes (5th-8th centuries CE), a series of Buddhist cave temples in Luoyang, known for its stone carvings and statues
• Leshan Giant Buddha (713-803 CE), the largest stone-carved Buddha statue in the world, located in Sichuan province
• Famen Temple (5th-10th centuries CE), a Buddhist temple in Shaanxi, known for its underground palace and the discovery of the finger bone relic of the Buddha

Legacy and Global Influence

• Chinese art and craftsmanship influenced the artistic traditions of neighboring countries (Korea, Japan, and Vietnam)
• The Silk Road facilitated the exchange of art, ideas, and technologies between China and the West
  • Chinese silk, ceramics, and lacquerware were highly prized in Europe and the Middle East
• Chinese porcelain, known as "china," became a global commodity and inspired European imitations (Meissen and Sèvres)
• Chinoiserie, a decorative style inspired by Chinese art, became popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries
• Chinese painting and calligraphy influenced the development of abstract expressionism in the 20th century
  • Artists like Franz Kline and Mark Tobey drew inspiration from Chinese brushwork and Zen philosophy
• Chinese bronze casting techniques and designs influenced the development of metalwork in Southeast Asia and beyond
• The discovery of the Terracotta Army and other archaeological finds sparked global interest in Chinese history and culture
• Chinese art and artifacts continue to be highly sought after in the international art market and are featured in major museums worldwide