Shang & Zhou Dynasties
China - Shang and Zhou Dynasties
SHANG PERIOD - (1600-1100BC)
For as much as we know about the Neolithic Period, Warring States, and each of the Dynasties to follow, there is little known about the Shang Period as a whole. As we just learned, many cultures during the Neolithic Period developed, each representing not only unique and magnificent works of art, but each culture also created its own philosophies and political strengths as well. During the Shang Period we saw the development of Bronze works more then ever before.
Three of the most predominant of those city states, developed during this time, were the Xia, Shang and Zhou Cultures. Each of these cultures contributing to the first writing system, the development of bronze craftsmanship (for weapons and tools), and bronze sculptures for spiritual use as well.
In 1959, south of the Yellow River, bronze pieces were unearthed marking the beginning of the Bronze Age. Primitive porcelains and glazed pottery began to flourish during this period. The high temperature glazed porcelains found during this period proves the development of primitive porcelain also. The use and development of bronze would be apparent for many years to come.
Archaeologists have shown us that no less then 10 distinct cultures existed for the more than 1,000 years which existed between 3000-1766BC. While discussing the many cultures which existed during the later Neolithic Period, we mentioned most of these cultures. The specific cultures of the Neolithic Period that span these years were called the Hsia Dynasty. As is evidenced by this multi?cultural time in history, it was also culturally split into many different regions of China as well.
Many historians agree that historical China begins with the Hsia Culture in the 21st Century BC. Most of the pottery found during similar periods showed not only similar patterns, but so were the gray red and black pottery of the regions similar as well.
The clay used during this period was varied from those of the Neolithic Period in that the Hsia Period had begun to use the higher temperature firings of the pottery. Hsia Dynasty pottery typically consists of cooking vessels such as tripods, bowls, jars, wine vessels, food containers, etc. Many Chinese historians have called the Hsia, Shang and Chou Dynasties as the first three Dynasties, but actually the Hsia culture was only a regional culture which was part of the Lungshan Culture of the Central Plain regions of China. We can conclude from the research provided, there existed some connection between the Lungshan Culture of the Central Plain, the Hsia Culture, and the Shang Period as well.
The Hsia Dynasty influences were also seen in the later Shang achievements in pottery as well. In 1766 BC, a Shang tribal chief successfully overthrew the reigning Hsia Dynasty and remained in control until 600 years later when the Chou Dynasty unseated them. These were unsettled times and usually a new Dynasty or Culture came in to power as the result of some sort of battle.
When thinking about the Shang Period artistically, the study of Shawn bronzes are always the first subject mentioned. So much attention was spent on the advancement of the bronzes during this period that pottery ceased to be manufactured during this period as much as periods which preceded this one. The greatest contribution from this period in the field of pottery came from the development of primitive Green ware. Many scholars believe that Chinese porcelains were developed during the Shang Period as well.
The Shang Period disappeared with the creation of the early Spring and Autumn Period (722-481BC). The patterns in pottery remained quite primitive during this period as a result of the attentions given artistically to the development of their bronzes. Most collectors of pottery find that their interests skip from the Neolithic Period directly to the Spring & Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.