Novelties in Antiquarian Revivals: the Case of the Chinese Bronzes
Jessica Rawson
Merton College
Oxford University
Abstract
The paper takes the revival of ancient bronzes in later periods as its principal
topic. Three forms of revival are proposed: recreation, involving the reproduction of
the original forms and decoration and the reinstatement of the original functions of the
vessels to offer food and wine to the ancestors; antiquarianism, which concerns the
collection and cataloguing of vessels; and archaism, whereby ancient forms and
decoration were used on vessels whose purposes were quite different from those of
the originals. In particular, archaistic vessels were first developed as incense burners
and flower vases and later as decorative items.
The paper first presents a case study, describing the copies or recreations found
in eighth to seventh century B.C. tombs of the Chin and Kuo states. Here these small
vessels appear to set out in a physical, tangible way the generations or pedigree of the
families. Indeed, as this instance and that of the revivals of Sung Hui-tsung
demonstrate, all recreations have such purposes. Beyond the claims of pedigree come
claims of legitimacy. The article concludes that the recreations and their objectives of
establishing a pedigree provide the foundation for other later enterprises to collect and
copy the bronzes in other less august contexts.
Key words: Bronzes, Chin, Kuo, Sung Hui-tsung