Transition of Chüeh Vessels (illustrated)

The transition of chüeh vessels can be overviewed as follows. Erlitou period (ca. 1900–1500 BCE): The body is flat and has a flat bottom, with zhu on spout rear (figs. 1 and 2). Erligang period (early Shang): The body appears to be wider and bottom resembles a cylindrical shape; some are inscribed with zoomorphic mask patterns on the middle body (figs. 3 and 4). Huanbei Shang period (ca. 1400–1250 BCE): The bottom is slightly spherical (fig. 5). Yinxu period (ca. 1300–1046 BCE): Only chüeh with spherical bottoms are found (fig. 6). The transition of the shapes of these bronzes is closely related to changes in the production of clay molds and casting techniques. By observing both the molds and casting traces on bronzes, it is possible to reproduce the molds and conduct casting replication experiments.