Dragon Pattern Goldware

During the Shang Dynasty, dragon patterns were designed as the main decorative surface of bronze ware to symbolize the "mystery of heaven's will". Bronze ware embodies the power of "heaven's will" with its majestic, solemn and steady aesthetic style. The decorative patterns of bronze ware also adopt a composition method that strictly follows the ware structure division and central axis symmetry. The dragon pattern shape and the space of the division must be properly matched. Since the Shang and Zhou bronze ware is based on rectangles as the main axis, with circles in squares, and divided by vertical and horizontal lines, the dragon pattern shape of the Shang Dynasty is also mainly composed of vertical and horizontal lines, and the arc is in a supplementary position, full of rational spirit. It belongs to a rigorous pattern in terms of pattern composition.

In the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, a situation of a hundred schools of thought emerged. The literature and art of this period have broken away from the stagnation, restraint and monotony of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Bronze craftsmanship has also gradually developed towards lightness and diversity with practicality. This piece of Warring States gold fittings with dragon patterns fully embodies the aesthetic concept of the Warring States period. The dragon pattern is symmetrical and regular, and the lines and contours are strong and neat. The gentle and lingering style of the Spring and Autumn Period gradually disappeared, and a strong and powerful style appeared. The dragon body is slender, with a strong sense of movement, circling and twisting in an S shape. The dragon pattern has bared fangs and claws, and a ferocious look. It is particularly rare and precious.