Eastern+Zhou

 ** Part of the Chinese Bronze Age, the Eastern Zhou period (771-256 BCE) took place during the second half of the Zhou Dynasty. During this period, the location of the capitals moved from Qishan and Shaochen to Luoyang, and the authoritative rule of the Western Zhou period was dispersed into feudal states. ** ** Two new schools of thought arose during the Eastern Zhou Period. Confucianism, which was based on the ideas of Confucius, focused on human relations. On the other hand, Daoism, which was based on the ideas of Laozi, focuses on the relationship between man and nature. ** ** The art of the Eastern Zhou period featured bronze items, such as cauldrons, mirrors, and bells. ** Vessels became bulkier and more compact in shape, with abstract decorations. Large sets of bells were used for entertainment and rituals. Decorated mirrors were buried with their owner to reflect light and scare evil spirits away. Jade objects were also found in this period.

Jade pendant from Tomb of Yi. Image © Cultural China [|http://www.cultural-china.com/]

A ritual food cauldron from the Eastern Zhou period may contain representations of the human figure, animals and ribbon forms, and zoomorphic images. It usually comes in a compact size. A cauldron such as this, is an example of both narrative and figurative art.

Ritual Food Container with Cover (Dui), Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, ca. 4th century B.C. China Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art [|http://www.metmuseum.org/]

The sets of bells found in Eastern Zhou were always created in sets and were used for ritual purposes. Most of these bells were found in tombs at burial sites, and were status symbols of the deceased. The bells contain the ribbon/lace pattern that is characteristic of the Eastern Zhou culture.

Bell, Eastern Zhou dynasty, late Spring and Autumn period (770–ca. 475 B.C.), early 5th century B.C. China Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art [|http://www.metmuseum.org/] Mirrors would often be found in tombs from Eastern Zhou. Mirrors were said to have magical powers because they could reflect light and make a room bright and get rid of the dark, which was considered to be evil. This was normally a mortuary/funerary piece. It contains the Eastern Zhou ribbon pattern.

Bronze mirror back inlaid with gold and silver from Jincun near Luoyang, Henan province, //c.// 3rd century //bc//, Dong (Eastern) Zhou dynasty; in the Eisei Bunko Foundation, Tokyo. Image © Encyclopedia Britannica [|http://www.britannica.com/]

Tomb-Guardian figures found in tombs might have been used as a protector from the demons. The antlers were symbols of fertility; they would fall off during the winter, but would grow back in the spring.

Paintings were also found during the Eastern Zhou period. They would have been used during funerary ceremonies. A typical Eastern Zhou painting would depict moralizing tales and be painted with black ink on silk. The image would be drawn in consistent lines with a calligraphy pen.

An important archeological site from the Eastern Zhou period is the Tomb of Yi, the Marquis of Zeng. Located in the southern state of Chu, this tomb is divided into four chambers. Each chamber seems to have its own purpose. For instance, a room is dedicated to weapons and a chariot. Another contains the remains of the ruler's concubines, who were killed to be buried with their king. A third one serves as a living room, which contains a set of ritual bells. The last room is assigned for the bodies of servants. Several objects were found in the king's tomb, including a decorated lacquered wood coffin, a wooden chest, a set of chimes, various utensils, weapons, and decorative objects.

Coffin of Marquis Yi. Image © Cultural China [|http://www.cultural-china.com/]

Bronze Chime-bells of Marquis Yi. Image © Cultural China [|http://www.cultural-china.com/]

Mandarin Duck. Found in Tomb of Yi. Image © Cultural China [|http://www.cultural-china.com/]


 * Online Sources:**

Department of Asian Art. "Shang and Zhou Dynasties: The Bronze Age of China". In //Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History//. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/shzh/hd_shzh.htm (November 2008)

"The Tomb of King Yi of the Zeng State". Cultural China. http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/35History250.html (November 2008)


 * Image Sources:**

"16-Segment Jade Pendant of Dragon and Phoenix Design". Cultural China. http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/History250bye955.html (November 2008)

"Bell". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/04/eac/ho_1988.20.7.htm (November 2008)

"Bronze Chime-bells". Cultural China. http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/History250bye953.html (November 2008)

"Bronze Mirror". Encyclopedia Brittanica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/114678/2825/Bronze-mirror-back-inlaid-with-gold-and-silver-from-Jincun (November 2008)

"Lacquer Coffin". Cultural China. http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/History250bye3662.html (November 2008)

"Mandarin Duck". Cultural China. http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/History250bye2380.html (November 2008)

"Ritual Food Container with Cover (Dui)". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/asian_art/ritual_food_container_with_cover_dui/objectview_enlarge.aspx?page=3&sort=0&sortdir=asc&keyword=&fp=1&dd1=6&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=6&OID=60047077&vT=1 (November 2008)