Exotica as prestige technology: the production of luxury gold in Western Han society

Liu, Yan

doi:10.15184/aqy.2017.207

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The first evidence of early granulation was recovered in Ur (modern in Iraq), dating back to c. 2,500 BCE 39 . The granulation technique was introduced in northwest China no later than the fourth century BCE, and became very popular in gold work made in the Han period official workshops since the second century BCE 40 . There were three kinds of soldering techniques used in antiquity: (1) autogenous welding; (2) brazing; and (3) copper colloidal fusing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological characterization of gold jewellery from the Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun (d. 579 CE) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province

Tan

Yang

Yan

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Northern dynasties (386-581 CE) of China witnessed extensive cultural contacts with the outside world. Several gold objects of this period indicate multiple culture influences. However, very few of them were testified by metallurgic analysis. The gold jewellery including a finger ring and an earring with exotic features were uncovered from the joint elite Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun and his wife of the Northern Zhou dynasty (557-581 CE) in Xi'an. The current study applied multiple non-destructive analyses to investigate the decorative techniques and materials of the two objects. the results showed that both ornaments were made of refined gold. Autogenous welding and brazing were employed for joining the granules of the earring, indicating different technical choices. More interestingly, niello made of silver sulfide was identified as an innovative technology to decorate the finger ring, presenting the earliest evidence of niello inlay in ancient china. it is noteworthy that powders of silver and sulfur were applied separately, deferring from the traditional method of silver sulfide being synthesised prior to being used. These findings help us gain insights into understanding the technical features of early Medieval gold jewellery, as well as the goldsmith's methods and intentions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technological characterization of gold jewellery from the Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun (d. 579 CE) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province

Tan

Yang

Yan

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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“…Numerous gold appliqués of this type were widespread in the central Asian steppes, such as the princely kurgans in Arzhan II (seventh century BCE) in south Siberia [32,33], the elite burials of early nomads in Barrow 6 of Taksai I (sixth-fifth century BCE) [34], and the Issyk kurgan (fourth-third century BCE) [35] in Kazakhstan, where prestige gold was used as a symbol of status and power amongst the highly mobile populations. The strong affinity manifested in these ornaments with the decorative traditions of the Scytho-Siberian animal style reminds us of the extensive contacts between China and the early mobile pastoralists in central Asian steppes [36,37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

China and the steppe: technological study of precious metalwork from Xigoupan Tomb 2 (4th–3rd c. BCE) in the Ordos region, Inner Mongolia

Liu

Li²,

Yang

et al. 2021

Herit Sci

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Technology employed by the ancient goldsmiths is traceable through archaeometallurgy. Using non-destructive analytical methods, namely, a 3D digital microscopy and a scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM–EDS), we investigated the manufacturing techniques and chemical composition of gold and silver artefacts recovered from Tomb 2 (M2), the richest find from Xigoupan cemetery (fourth-third century BCE) in the northern part of Jungar Banner, Inner Mongolia. The present research contributes to a better understanding of the inventive nature of precious metal working industry in early China (eighth-third century BCE). First, cultural interchange was evidenced in the metalwork examined, notably as being closely linked to techniques emerging from the Eurasian steppes. In Xigoupan M2, the ornamentation of sheet works in the Scytho-Siberian animal style was seen to be clearly influenced by the central Asian steppe goldsmithing practice, while certain cast items were typical of the Chinese tradition. Second, our analysis reveals that the gold appliqués with raised animal figures that were previously thought to be repoussé work have actually been made with double-sided carving. We consider such a new technology as one of local inventions that was inspired by methods arriving from the central Asian steppes. In addition, our analysis of elemental composition reveals that the gold artefacts found in Xigoupan M2 to be made of natural gold, while the horse harness ornament is made of pure silver. These results, combined with the study of the existing data pertaining to comparable examples, attest to the shared craftsmanship in prestige metal production across the northern Chinese states, especially with regard to the pre-imperial period Qin workshop.

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“…10) (Guangzhou 1991, vol. 1, 65–6; Li 2012, 88–9; Liu 2017, 1599). Cosmic motifs including cloud and constellations were intertwined with the localized creatures (Guo 2020; Wu 2010, 50–51 & 253).…”

Section: New Uses Of Gold In the Han Dynastymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are multiple related researches including general studies on gold in early China (Bunker 1993; Lin 2006; Qi 2006; Rawson & Bunker 1990), specific studies on goldwork techniques and their influence on other materials, like jade (He 2008; Liu 2017; 2020; Qi 1999; 2006; Rawson 1995, 60–74), and more on gold in later dynastic China 4 . Nevertheless, the transition to new shared practices in gold use in the Han period has, to date, not been sufficiently studied in relation to other burial practices, such as its use in the jade suits, nor to the overall historical and ideological background.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exotica, Fashion and Immortality: The New Use of Gold in Han Dynasty China (206bce–ce220)

Wang¹

2021

CAJ

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This article explores the use of gold in the elite tombs of Han dynasty China, the popular use of which originated outside the Chinese cultural milieu, and its integration into the Han portfolio of materials representing people's expectations for the afterlife, such as immortality and well-being. In contrast to jade, which had a long history of use in China, gold was in itself a ‘new’ element of Chinese culture. This article outlines the introduction of gold objects from Europe and Central Asia via the Eurasian Steppe and borderland of China from around the eighth century bce. The unprecedented use of gold in the Han-specific jade suits, and the process by which foreign types of zoomorphic motifs were adopted and connected with local motifs, are explored. In light of the political change from multiple competing states before the first unification in Chinese history in the third century bce, and the development in ideology and concept of an ideal and eternal afterlife, this article explains the reasons and meanings of the new use of gold in Han dynasty China and the composite system of motifs, materials and objects.

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Exotica as prestige technology: the production of luxury gold in Western Han society

Cited by 9 publications

References 13 publications

Technological characterization of gold jewellery from the Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun (d. 579 CE) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province

Technological characterization of gold jewellery from the Sogdian tomb of Shi Jun (d. 579 CE) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province

China and the steppe: technological study of precious metalwork from Xigoupan Tomb 2 (4th–3rd c. BCE) in the Ordos region, Inner Mongolia

Exotica, Fashion and Immortality: The New Use of Gold in Han Dynasty China (206bce–ce220)

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