Iconography and motifs in Shang art and ornamentation (c. 1600–1046 BCE)

1. Kui dragons and avian motifs proliferate in Anyang decor

   Jan 1, 1200Labels: Kui dragon, Anyang, Bronze decor

   • Cernuschi
   • Britannica

2. Cicada motif appears as a recurring late Shang emblem

   Jan 1, 1200Labels: Cicada motif, Late Shang, Ritual bronze

   • Christie s
   • Britannica

3. Tomb of Fu Hao is created within Anyang elite milieu

   Jan 1, 1200Labels: Fu Hao, Anyang, Royal tomb

   • Fu Hao Tomb
   • Yinxu

4. Animal-form ritual bronzes exemplify late Shang iconography

   Jan 1, 1200Labels: Animal-form vessel, Owl vessel, Ram vessel

   • Britannica
   • Fu Hao Owl

5. Anyang oracle-bone divination records late Shang ritual world

   Jan 1, 1250Labels: Oracle bones, Anyang Yinxu, Divination records

   • UNESCO
   • Oracle Bone

6. Taotie reaches mature “mask” form in late Shang

   Jan 1, 1250Labels: Taotie mask, Late Shang, Bronze register

   • Ritual Bronzes
   • Asian Art Mus

7. Capital shifts to Anyang, expanding Shang bestiary

   Jan 1, 1300Labels: Anyang capital, Shang bestiary, Bronze repertoire

   • Cernuschi
   • Yinxu

8. Piece-mold casting enables crisp, integrated decoration

   Jan 1, 1300Labels: Piece-mold casting, Bronze workshop, Mold ornament

   • Met TOAH
   • Britannica

9. Leiwen “thunder” spirals become common ground pattern

   Jan 1, 1400Labels: Leiwen pattern, Ground pattern, Shang ornament

   • Cernuschi
   • Christie s

10. Erligang capital at Zhengzhou shapes early bronze style

    Jan 1, 1550Labels: Erligang Zhengzhou, Urban center, Bronze production

    • Cernuschi
    • Britannica

11. Early Shang/Erligang two-eyed “proto-taotie” emerges

    Jan 1, 1600Labels: Proto-taotie, Erligang, Paired eyes

    • Oxford Allan
    • Ritual Bronzes

12. 1976 excavation of Fu Hao’s intact tomb (M5)

    Jan 1, 1976Labels: Fu Hao, Zheng Zhenxiang, 1976 excavation

    • Fu Hao Tomb
    • Fu Hao Owl