Spring and Autumn Annals

Refers to the early part of the Eastern Zhou period, from 722 to 481 BCE although some scholars date the period to 770 to 475 BCE. It is named after the chronicle for the state of Lu, the 'Chunqiu.' Woodcarving of this period is associated with the southern state of Chu. Bronze ritual vessels were made in large numbers and sizes and featured elaborate decoration that developed during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Such vessels were more important during this period than in the later Warring States period when vessels were often undecorated. The earliest archaeological evidence for Chinese seals comes from the Spring and Autumn Annals period although there is literary evidence that they existed prior to this. Goldworking was not widely adopted in central China until this time.