The late Zhou saw important changes in the function and style of bronzes.  During the Shang and the Western Zhou bronze vessels had been used primarily for sacrifices to the ancestors, both in life and after death.  During the Warring States period, however, bronze vessels began to be seen as luxury items in their own right and were increasingly disassociated from the realm of religious ritual.  Sacrificial vessels were still necessary, but those tended to be plainer in appearance than the vessels for display and feasting.  Bronzes became larger in size and more ornate in appearance, as shown in the extensive use of gold and silver inlay.  In keeping with their new role as commodities, most bronze vessels of the Warring States period lack significant inscriptions.  The inscriptions on Marquis Yi's bronzes refer to the owner, but not to ancestors.   

How might changes in the function and appearance of bronzes be related to the political circumstances during the Warring States period?

As you look at the bronzes below, think about how they compare to those from the Shang and Zhou tombs of Fu Hao and the Count of Yu.  

To the left is a wine vessel in a matching tray.  This elaborate set was made by a complex process of multiple casting.  The vessels themselves were cast by the traditional piece-mold technique, but the intricate  decoration was done by a new casting process and then soldered to the vessels.  

Bronze zun (wine vessel) and bronze pan (plate)   

Here are those same two vessels separated.  The decoration is characteristic of the flamboyant style of Chu-influenced bronzes. 

Height of the zun: 33.1cm, diameter of mouth: 47.3 cm, weight: 19.2kg        

To the left are a pair of wine vessels (hu), each about 39 inches tall.  They fit into circular openings in the matching stand.  A cast inscription inside the neck of each hu reads: "Marquis Yi of Zeng commissioned [this vessel]; may he possess and use it for eternity."

Pair of bronze wine vessels   

Height: 111cm,  weight: 240kg 

Below is a set of bronze vessels for cooling or warming wine.  The square outer vessel (jian) has a smaller inner vessel (fou) hooked onto its bottom.  A removable grate with a square opening holds the neck of the inner vessel.    Wine was cooled by filling the space between the two vessels with ice.  The set was found with a large serving ladle.  

The set here and the two above were found together in the central chamber of the tomb.  

Bronze vessel for cooling or warming wine                                                  

Height: 61.5cm, Weight: 168.8kg                                                                    

One of the innovations of late Zhou bronzes is the development of inlay designs.  While inlays were created in Near Eastern workshops by applying designs to the cold surface of an undecorated bronze, the Chinese craftsman obtained similar  results by casting depressions into the bronze to receive the inlay. 

The vessel to the left features inlay tracery that looks like gold and silver.  

What kind of effect could be achieved with the use of inlay?

Bronze pan and scoop          

Height of scoop: 24cm, weight: 2.6kg  Height of pan: 11cm, weight: 8.8kg     

The creature to the left is of bronze. The rims of the wings were once inlaid with turquoise, and the stand was originally inlaid with semiprecious stones.   It is about 1.5 m high, and was found next to the double coffins of the marquis.  

What kind of creature is this?  What might its function have been?

What do you think the chains on either side of this charcoal stove was for?

                                       Bronze brazier               Height: 21.3cm, Diameter: 39.4cm, Weight: 8.4cm