Decorated models, replication, and assembly lines for bronze industrial production in 500 B.C.E. China

This article examines the earliest examples of replication of bronze objects of complicated structure in China. It uses four quadrupeds from the Freer Gallery (National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution), the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the British Museum, and the Yūrinkan Museum in Kyōto as examples to illustrate the complex technology required in replicating bronzes. It provides evidence to define identical bronzes and proves that the four quadrupeds shared the same decorated model. The application of section-mold casting, spacers, clay cores, and mold section assemblage will be examined using 3D scanning, X-ray photography, computerized tomography (CT) scanning, and alloy composition analysis.

本文研究對象是中國最早期具有複雜結構的複製青銅器。弗利爾美術館(美國史密森尼學會轄下的國立亞洲藝術博物館)、三藩市亞洲藝術博物館、大英博物館、京都藤井有鄰博物館各有一件青銅獸；本文以此四獸舉例說明複製青銅器的過程中所需的複雜技術。本文提供證據去定義何為一模一樣的青銅器，並證明此四青銅獸共享同一個修整完備的模。本文作者會利用 3D 掃描技術、 X 光攝影、 CT 掃描、以及合金成份分析去闡述青銅工業生產當中的分範法、墊片、泥芯、外範組合等技術。