Chinese Cultural Relics
by Li Li
Bronze Weapons, Helmets and Shields
Weapons and shields account for a large proportion of the bronze artifacts we have found so far.
The figure is 30 percent for those that discovered from Fu Hao's tomb, next only to that for sacrificial vessels, and the proportion is even greater for less important tombs of the Shang (c.1600BC-1046BC) and Zhou (1046BC-221BC) dynasties.
Though meant to kill, bronze weapons invariably bear decorative designs. On some swords, for example, we find patterns of exquisite lines and gold-inlaid inscriptions.
Decorative designs on shields and helmets look more mythical and fearsome than those on spears, swords and other weapons. No. 1004 tomb of the Yin Ruins in Anyang furnishes a most striking example.
Bronze helmets unearthed from the tomb take the shape of animal faces, bullheads with long, curved horns, ferocious-looking tiger heads with big ears and eyes awesomely large. Shields from the tomb feature long-toothed men or animals with livid faces, obviously to terrify the enemy.
Bronze swords and daggers popular among nomadic tribes in North China often have handles in the shape of sheep, tigers, horses, deer and other animals, in an artistic style good enough to influence the making of such weapons in the country's heartland.
What merit special mention are bronze weapons belonging to people of the ancient Dian ethnic group in China's deep south, which invariably have animal and bird images on them. Round the mouth of the tube for installing the handle of a spear or axe there are neat groups of animal images including deer, bulls, apes, wolves, snakes and pangolins.
About the book
Chinese Cultural Relics Written by Li Li Published by China Intercontinental Press
by Li Li
Bronze Weapons, Helmets and Shields
Weapons and shields account for a large proportion of the bronze artifacts we have found so far.
The figure is 30 percent for those that discovered from Fu Hao's tomb, next only to that for sacrificial vessels, and the proportion is even greater for less important tombs of the Shang (c.1600BC-1046BC) and Zhou (1046BC-221BC) dynasties.
Though meant to kill, bronze weapons invariably bear decorative designs. On some swords, for example, we find patterns of exquisite lines and gold-inlaid inscriptions.
Decorative designs on shields and helmets look more mythical and fearsome than those on spears, swords and other weapons. No. 1004 tomb of the Yin Ruins in Anyang furnishes a most striking example.
Bronze helmets unearthed from the tomb take the shape of animal faces, bullheads with long, curved horns, ferocious-looking tiger heads with big ears and eyes awesomely large. Shields from the tomb feature long-toothed men or animals with livid faces, obviously to terrify the enemy.
Bronze swords and daggers popular among nomadic tribes in North China often have handles in the shape of sheep, tigers, horses, deer and other animals, in an artistic style good enough to influence the making of such weapons in the country's heartland.
What merit special mention are bronze weapons belonging to people of the ancient Dian ethnic group in China's deep south, which invariably have animal and bird images on them. Round the mouth of the tube for installing the handle of a spear or axe there are neat groups of animal images including deer, bulls, apes, wolves, snakes and pangolins.
About the book
Chinese Cultural Relics Written by Li Li Published by China Intercontinental Press
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