Vase

Although the ancient forms and decorations from the Chinese Bronze Age were passed down over the centuries, since the early Ming period there were several further developments. In general, the forms became rounder and heavier—as if porcelain vessels had been transported into bronze. In surface decoration, differently nuanced bronze colorations replaced the “ancient green”; frequently the objects were additionally lacquered. A special feature is the so-called sunspot bronze: spots of copper and gold are inset in an irregular “pattern” in contrast to the bronze surface.