Page 159 - Deydier UNDERSTANDING CHINESE ARCHAIC BRONZES

The term jiongwen 冏紋 to describe this motif is found in the Kaogongji
考工記 of the Zhouli 周禮, completed sometime in the 5 century B.C.
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between the end of the Spring and Autumn 春秋末 and the beginning
of the Warring States 戰國初 periods, where jiongwen 冏紋 is defined
as a ‘round, vortex-shaped flame’.

The Qiequ Motif 竊曲紋

The term qiequ 竊曲 or literally, the ‘stolen curve’, was used to describe
this motif in Chinese historical records as early as the Spring and
Autumn 春秋 period (circa 770 – 476 B.C.). It is shaped a bit like a
fallen-over reclining “S”, with its central inner section round like an eye
or a sort of sun with rays.
Some scholars believe that the qiequ 竊曲 evolved over time from
ancient stylized bird or dragon motifs.

The “Repeated Link and Circles” or Chonghuan Motif 重環紋

Almost as popular as the qiequ motif 竊曲紋 on bronze vessels of the
Western Zhou 西周, the chonghuan motif 重環紋 is composed of long,
link-like, double-bordered motifs separated by smaller, semi-oval-
shaped, double-bordered motifs.

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Chonghuan “Repeated Links and Circles” motif on gui, late Western Zhou dynasty (circa 9 –
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8 centuries B.C.) – Meiyintang Collection n° 106.
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