Other Bronze in National Palace Museum, part2

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of Other Bronzes from the Song dynasty! Here, you can explore some of the most amazing artifacts from China's imperial past. We have a variety of different bronze pieces on display here, including a Gui food container of Lady Xian Ji, Hsing Chi Shih Tsun, He wine/water vessel of Bo-ding, Gui food container with square base and phoenix pattern, Zun wine vessel to Yi the grandfather, Square Ding cauldron of Marquis of Kang, Zun wine vessel in the shape of animal with metal wire and turquoise inlay, Oval Liang Measure by imperial decree of 26th year, Pan water vessel with coiling dragon pattern and Lei wine vessel with goat-head high reliefs and knob pattern. These are all important pieces in Chinese history that tell us about how people interacted with each other during this time period. Come take a look at these fascinating artifacts today!

1. Gui food container of Lady Xian Ji

Jade was mostly used for rewards, edicts, gifts, entertaining, and sacrifices, according to the bronze inscription.

2. Hsing Chi Shih Tsun

The phoenix bird is a new form of decoration that first appeared during the time of King Mu in the mid Western Zhou period. This bird is characterized by its large tail, and it quickly became a popular form of decoration during this time period.

3. He wine/water vessel of Bo-ding

The inscription on the vessel and its cover are in different styles of writing. It is likely that the inscription on the mold was originally done by two different people. The new style is beginning to replace the old one.

4. Gui food container with square base and phoenix pattern

Gui vessels and ding cauldrons were important types of bronze food containers often used together. The cauldrons were used to hold meat, while the gui vessels held cooked rice, maize, and other grains.

5. Zun wine vessel to Yi the grandfather

This vessel has a flared mouth and a slightly rotund belly. The exterior surfaces of the lip and neck are decorated with tapering leaf-shaped simplified upside-down kui patterns, below which kui dragon patterns with curled tails can be seen.

6. Square Ding cauldron of Marquis of Kang

This vessel is shaped like a cube and has four cylindrical feet. The outer wall of the vessel is decorated with simplified patterns of beast masks.

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

This vessel is in the shape of a strong four-legged creature with hooves, big ears, round eyes, and a hanging tail. The muscles and posture look realistic.

8. Oval Liang Measure by imperial decree of 26th year

The First Emperor of Imperial Qin annexed the other six states and established one grand empire under the heaven. He called himself the First Emperor, replaced the antiquated feudal system with centralized governance, and standardized the written language as well as weights and measures.

9. Pan water vessel with coiling dragon pattern

This pan plate has a coiled dragon on the well, with the head slightly raised and positioned at the center of the plate. The edges of the plate have kui dragon patterns, bird patterns, and fish patterns.

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