Language: Chinese and English bilingual
ISBN/ISSN: 0691011370
Published on: 1996-01
Hardcover
This important volume is an illustrated repertory of archaeological finds made at the site of a 6th to 15th century BC bronze foundry located at modern Houma in Shanxi Province, P.R.C. The excavation of the site, the largest known in the ancient world, was important above all for the spectacular wealth of decorated clay foundry-debris that was recovered there. Though unearthed more than 30 years ago, most of this debris have never been published. The debris throws valuable light on the very complex casting process used at Houma; still more valuable is the evidence it provides for the varieties of decoration employed at the foundry. Bronzes unearthed at many different places in China, decorated with an immense variety of designs, can now be connected with Houma on the evidence of the foundry-debris. This book presents 1,200 of the most notable pieces of decorated foundry debris in photographs and drawings.
