Other Bronze in National Palace Museum, part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of other bronze artifacts from China's imperial past! Here, you can explore a variety of different pieces, including a P'an with Coiled K'uei-dragon Pattern, Chime-bell Set of Zi-fan, Ting with Coiled Serpent Pattern, Zun Wine Vessel of Ya-qin to Yi the Father, Pan Water Vessel with Coiling Dragon Pattern, Lei Wine Vessel with Goat-head High Reliefs and Knob Pattern, Hu Vessel with Hunting Scenes Inlaid in Copper-like Paste, Zun Wine Vessel in the Shape of Animal with Metal Wire and Turquoise Inlay, Ting Vessel with Inscription of the Zhenghe Period, and Shakyamuni Buddha. These artifacts provide us with a unique insight into Chinese culture during this time period and are an important part of our history. Come take a look at these incredible artifacts today!

1. P'an with Coiled K'uei-dragon Pattern

Water vessels were used in ceremonial washing and became popular in the late Western Zhou period. They flourished during the Spring and Autumn period.

2. Chime-bell set of Zi-fan

The Museum purchased 12 pieces of "Zi-fan" chimes in September 1994. By joining the respective inscription on each chime, eight proved to have belonged to one set, together with 132 characters (two dittoed) in the complete text. The remaining four were the second half of another set.

3. Ting with Coiled Serpent Pattern

As the state of Qin began to emerge during the mid Spring and Autumn period, so too did its unique bronze ceremonial vessels. These vessels gradually began to be influenced by those from Wei of San-chin during the Warring States period.

4. Zun wine vessel of Ya-qin to Yi the father

This ceremonial wine vessel was made for the purpose of worshiping Yi the father in the ancestral temple. It features the Ya-qin crest prominently on both the bronze zun vessel and the bronze seal. The inscriptions are in four characters per line.

5. Pan water vessel with coiling dragon pattern

This pan plate has a coiled dragon on the well, with the head slightly raised and in the center of the plate. There are kui dragon, bird, and fish patterns on the edges of the plate.

6. Lei wine vessel with goat-head high reliefs and knob pattern

This vessel has a tapered mouth and round shoulders. The goat heads, bird patterns, and kui dragons are all in high relief. The belly of the vessel is completely covered in nipple patterns with linked hooks, round spiral patterns, and four-petaled flower patterns.

7. Hu vessel with Hunting Scenes Inlaid in Copper-like Paste

This vessel has shallow relief design, with birds holding snakes in their mouths and winged spirit figures. The belly has figures and animals, with hooked-cloud and geometric patterns below. The shape of a hu is an extended container from the early Warring States period.

8. Zun wine vessel in the shape of animal with metal wire and turquoise inlay

This is a wine vessel from the Warring States period that is in the shape of a sturdily standing four-legged hoofed animal. The mouth of the animal is the spout and there is an opening on the back with a removable lid that enabled wine to be replenished.

9. Ting Vessel with Inscription of the Zhenghe period

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10. Shakyamuni Buddha