Decorated models, Replication, and Assembly lines for Bronze industrial production in 500 B.C.E. China

Kin Sum Sammy Li*, Quanyu Wang, J. Keith Wilson, Fan Jeremy Zhang, Jody Ho Yee Cheung, Tsz Hin Chun, Sum Lam, Mingyong Pang, Haoran Xie, Mingqiang Wei, Kin San Lee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article examines the earliest examples of replication of bronze objects of complicated structure in China. It uses four quadrupeds from the Freer Gallery (National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution), the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the British Museum, and the Yūrinkan Museum in Kyōto as examples to illustrate the complex technology required in replicating bronzes. It provides evidence to define identical bronzes and proves that the four quadrupeds shared the same decorated model. The application of section-mold casting, spacers, clay cores, and mold section assemblage will be examined using 3D scanning, X-ray photography, computerized tomography (CT) scanning, and alloy composition analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)109-142
Number of pages34
JournalEarly China
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Archaeology
  • History
  • Archaeology
  • Religious studies
  • Philosophy
  • Literature and Literary Theory

User-Defined Keywords

  • Assembly line
  • Decorated model
  • Houma
  • Identical bronze
  • Industrial production

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