Probe on the Aesthetic Conception in the Design of Bronze Lamps

Abstract

China created a brilliant material civilization in ancient times, which had a profound influence on neighboring countries and even the world. As it were, the development of ancient material civilization in China is a microcosm of the history of material evolution in the world. It has gone through different stages of cultural relics, such as Paleolithic Age, Neolithic Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. In different periods of material civilization, ancient Chinese people constantly explored and discovered new materials through their own hands and wisdom. Moreover, we explored the production technology suitable for different materials and utensils, and created many world-leading utensils. Take bronze ware as an example. The casting level of bronze wares in Shang Dynasty has attracted the attention of the whole world. “Simuwu Square Pod” (a cooking vessel in Shang Dynasty) is a typical representative. Judging from the material, volume and weight of its bronze tripod, it is the world’s leading level at that time, so to speak. In the Bronze Age, the existence of utensils was not only the most basic meaning of their use functions, but also the social function of conveying the differences of emperors between Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty. It is a ritual tool for ruling the country and bears the rituals of the Zhou Dynasty. The famous idiom “WENDING ZHONGYUAN (Covet or challenge the throne)” is such an example. It expounds the unique social function of bronze tripod as a ritual tool of ruling a state and it is a tangible symbol of imperial power. In 606 BC, the Zhou Dynasty gradually declined and the Chu State became powerful. Taking advantage of the Northern Expedition, King Zhuang of Chu State asked about the weight of Nine Tripods in the Zhou Dynasty and coveted the throne of the emperor of Zhou Dynasty. King Ding of Zhou Dynasty sent the eloquent Wang Sunmanto confront the King Zhuang of Chu State. When confronting King Zhuang who faces the north, Wang first bypassed the topic of King Zhuang and talked about the age and inheritance of the Nine Tripods. He analyzed the relationship between the weight of Nine Tripods and the virtue obedience of people, and conveyed in a tactful but firm way that the national destiny of Zhou Dynasty was not over yet and the weight of the Nine Tripods can’t be asked, which discouraged the King Zhuang, who then turned to attack Zheng State.