How did late Shang bronze vessels use sculptural relief more boldly than earlier vessels?

In the late Shang dynasty, bronze vessels utilized sculptural relief more boldly than in earlier periods by transitioning from flat, incised designs to a highly plastic, three-dimensional aesthetic. This evolution is categorized by scholars as "Style V," which represents the climax of Shang bronze casting.1

While earlier styles relied on thin lines or flat bands to depict zoomorphic motifs, late Shang vessels achieved their bold relief through the use of ceramic appliqué on the model. This technique allowed craftsmen to move beyond the limitations of ceramic-derived, thin-walled forms and fully exploit the sculpturesque potential of molded-bronze technology. Consequently, the main motifs on these vessels were set forth in increasingly prominent plastic relief, creating a more dynamic and tactile surface compared to the flatter, more abstract designs of earlier phases.1