A Study Of S-form Like Decorations Excavated From The Graves Of Qin Culture

There are 81 S-form like decorations collected in the graves of Qin Culture, and two problems mainly discussed in this thesis. The first one is some characters of the S-form like decoration, such as functions, methods of use, the reason of extinction and the designs. And the other is the study on the graves where S-form like decoration excavated. This thesis is divided into five parts as follows.Part One: PrefaceThis part seeks to define the concept of S-form like decoration and summarize studies in the past and present, and the purpose of the paper is explained.Part Two: The Temporal and Spatial Frame of S-Form Like DecorationThe graves of the Qin Culture have been classified by their types, distributions, periods and stages by most scholars. However, some graves'periods which should belong to are adjusted underground on the analysises in the thesis.Part Three: Typological Study on the S-Form Like DecorationBased on the main decorative patterns of S-form like decoration, it can be divided into six types: dispersive-chi-like decoration, long-strip-like decoration, cloud-like decoration, S-form-like decoration, net-like decoration and nodecoration, which are named as Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, Type E, and Type F. Type A and Type Ba appeared earliest, which belonged to late Spring and Autumn Peroid; Type Bb and Type C appeared at the early age of Warring States; Type D, Type E and Type F appeared at the middle age of Warring States, however, Type A dispeared; Type Bb remained only at the age from late Warring States to Qin Dynasty.Part Four: Functions, Methods of Use, and the Reason of Extinction of S-form Like DecorationFirst of all, according to analyse the location of S-form like decoration in the grave and the coexistent elements with it, we know that as follows: first, the narrower part of S-form like decoration may be used for the leather belt hook; second, S-form like decoration located nearby the shoulder of tomb owner, it is possible to catch something or as a device used in wear; finally, commonly, S-form like decoration may be used at the ends of texile belt, a ring at the each end of the belt or the belt as a ring.S-form like decoration is more aesthetic than practical, and is a particular artifact which may show characteristics of Qin culture. Maybe this is the reason why it can survive with belt hook from the late Spring and Autumn Period to Qin Dynasty. However, accompanied by the subversion of Qin Dynasty, S-form like decoration departed from the stage of history.Part Five: Researches on Related ProblemsThis part includes the studies on the grave where S-form like decoration excavated and decorative patterns of S-form like decoration.In the first place, according to the study on the grave where S-form decoration excavated, It is explaned that no distinguishes among classes and gender, and tomb owners who buried bronze ritual were inclind to show their own identity by the quantity of S-form like decoration buried.In the second place, there are various decorative patterns on the face of S-form like decoration, and they can be divided into two types: one is the pattern fashionable in the every states at that period, such as dispersive-chi-like decoration, cloud-like decoration, S-form-like decoration, net-like decoration, etc; and the other is the patterns influenced by Northern Culture, mainly such as short-diagonal-stripe decoration and V-shaped decoration. As mentioned above, it can be understood that decorative patterns are summarized characters of every states and Northern Culture at that period, and are the cultural mixtures of the central and northern China.Part Six: ConclusionIn the conclusion, It includes such characters of the S-form like decoration, such as functions, methods of use, and the reason of extinction. The issues are discussed also, that gender and classes of the tomb owners using S-form like decoration, and decorative patterns of S-form like decoration.