[zeestephen]

Thanks for the primer on Chinese ceramics.

One other question on the bronzes...

Since the written Chinese language has a distinct geometric quality, I wondered if any of the geometric “decorations” on the bronze vessels were actually words?

[mairdie]

Simple answer, yes. There's writing ALL OVER the bronzes.

Here's a good example. This is a Pan shape from the Zhou Dynasty inscribed with the accomplishments of the earliest Zhou kings, circa 10th century BC.

Your instincts are excellent!