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Introduction to Ancient Art of the Shang Dynasty By ArtHistory.net
The Shang Dynasty is regarded as the second dynasty to rule in China. It is said tofollow the Xia Dynasty; however, historians are uncertain if the Xia was an historical ormythical dynasty. Additionally, conflicting dates are given for the Shang Dynasty, butmost historians agree that they likely ruled between 1600 B.C. and 1046 B.C. Art of theShang Dynasty comes primarily in the form of bronze objects and oracle bones. The artof the Shang Dynasty was also made from stone, ceramics, and precious materials likejade.
According to scholars the people of the Shang Dynasty were likely Huaxia people wholived around the Yellow River where the dynasty was based. Agriculture and animalhusbandry were key aspects of their civilization. The dynasty was ruled by hereditarykings who were frequently at war with nomadic tribes of the Asian steppes. The art ofthe dynasty, particularly its oracle bones (shards of bone or turtle shell containing Shangscript used for divination purposes) bear witness to specific aspects of the civilizationlike its rituals of human sacrifice and ancestor worship.
Objects that date from the Shang period provide many clues about Shang culture.Bronze casting became more sophisticated during this period as did pottery making.Bronze and ceramic items frequently feature the geometric designs that the Shang areknown for. Shang artisans also invented musical instruments, wove silk, and createdlacquerware. Artistically rendered objects often held religious significance, but manyitems were simply household in nature like water vessels and wine jugs.
Aside from geometric designs, the artistic relics of the Shang era were also decoratedwith animal faces known as taotie motifs. Scholars are uncertain about the religiousimportance of the animal designs or whether they were strictly ornamental. Animalsalso figured prominently in the jade carvings that were famously produced during theShang Dynasty. These sophisticated carvings depict dragons, tigers, birds, and otheranimals. Owning jade discs also indicated an individual’s standing in Shang society.
Archaeologists have learned much about the Shang from their ornate burials thatshowcased considerable decorating and contained many artistically rendered items likeweapons, pottery, and jade objects that were believed to be needed in the afterlife. Thecalligraphy of the Shang was also extremely well developed for such an ancientcivilization and it often decorated tombs and artistic objects. Ritual bronzes that date to
the Shang Dynasty are among the most sought after objects of antiquity. Before thetwentieth century, historians were uncertain if the Shang was a real dynasty, butarchaeologists have uncovered their artistic past which not only proves the existence ofthe Shang, but it also served to explain this early Chinese people.
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