Page 127 - The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People’s Republic of China

32
323 a. Jade trapezoidal plaque

Height 5.2 (2), width 10.4 (4ft), depth 0.3 (ft)
Liangzhu Culture, c. 3200-2000 BCE
From Fanshan, Yuhang, Zhejiang Province

Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Archaeology,
Hangzhou

b. Jade trapezoidal plaque

3
Height 3.4 (i / 8), width 6.4 (2 ft), depth 0.3 (ft)
Liangzhu Culture, c. 3200-2000 BCE
From Yaoshan, Yuhang, Zhejiang Province

Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Archaeology,
Hangzhou

In addition to large bi disks and cong tubes, the
32b Liangzhu culture created a diverse variety of small
jade objects, among which trapezoidal plaques are
a standard form. Although they are fairly consistent
in shape, their decorative schemes, all derived from
the monster-and-human-face image, vary consider-
ably: some plaques have only a simple face repre-
sented by a pair of circular eyes and a bar nose,
while others (in particular those from the Fanshan
and Yaoshan sites) are extravagantly embellished.
The vocabulary of the plaques' surface decoration
comprises three primary elements: face motifs,
ribbons, and scrollwork. The face motif is usually
abbreviated to a pair of circular eyes and a bar-
shaped nose and mouth but is occasionally
extended to include the feather headdress. Ribbons
and scrollwork, which were introduced in the Mid-
dle Liangzhu period (c. 2800-2400 BCE), add
complexity to designs and textural detail to other-
wise spare surfaces. The talent and imagination of
the Liangzhu craftsmen are evident in their ability
to create a rich variety of patterns within a limited
decorative repertoire.
Painstakingly shaped and elaborately embel-
1
lished, the first plaque (a) displays a high level of
technical and aesthetic virtuosity. Together with
neatly hollowed openwork, twisting and winding
ribbons form a monster face with circular eyes, a
broad nose, and a large mouth with sharp fangs.

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