| Gilding is often used in the decoration techniques of ancient Chinese bronzes, According to the materials which has bean confirmed, the Gilt-Bronze appeared in the mid or late Warring States period, and more Gilt-Bronze were found in the tomb of the Han periods. This article is based on the materials by using excavation of the past several decades years (including some unconfirmed materials), to study its kinds and numbers.There are five stages in the development of the Gilt-Bronze: including the development in Spring and Autumn period, Warring States period, early Western Han Period, middle and late Western Han, Xing Mang and East Han Periods, then discussing the basic characteristic of the Gilt-Bronze in each period.The using of the Gilt-Bronze in each stage is concerned to the function and status of "gold" in that time. In Xia,Shang and Wertern Zhou periods,the Gilt-Bronze is mainly used for decoration,while,it becomes the symbol of fortune or status in Spring and Autumn period and Warring States periods. And then, connecting to the concepts of "Immortality" in Qin Han periods .All these arethe Specific performances concerned to the desiring about "gold".The Gilt-Bronze is probably popular in the mid Westerv Han dynasty, especially the Gilt-Bronze utensils for Dieting were often found in the higher status tombs of this time, That is because of two reasons ,for one reason, Westerv Han dynasty is famous for its Possessing of gold .there are many evidences in the document. For the other reason, the Aristocrats in that time bestow much care on Alchemists,they believe that they can live forever by eating gold.Perhaps these are the reasons why Gilt-Bronze is popular in the Han China. |
