Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Chinese Speaking - Part 1




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Exchange>Exhibition

Part 1

Nail-Decorated Jue

A liquor cup from the late Erlitou Culture Period (Erlitou Culture Period: approximately 2100 B.C. - 300 B.C.). It is 31.5cm wide and 22.5cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Erlitou, Yanshi City, Henan Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Cultural Center of Yanshi City.

It is long, sharp-tailed, wasp-waisted and flat-bottomed. Its three legs are thin and long. Two nails are cast on the mouth. Two raised lines are carved at one side and between the two lines are decorated horizontally with the pattern of five nails. The cup is quite thin.

A Bronze Human Head with Flat Crown

A head sculpture for sacrificial use from the middle Shang Dynasty (approximately 1700 BC - 1100 BC). It is 37.5cm high with a horizontal diameter of 16.5cm and a vertical diameter of 18cm. Unearthed in 1986 in Tomb No.1 of Sanxingdui Ruins, Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, it is now in the
collection of Sichuan Cultural Relic and Archeological Research Institute.

The top of the head is flat likely wearing a flat cap. It has wide eyebrow, pointed nose, closely sht big mouth, square ears, pieced earlobes and strong neck. Its ears are decorated with cloud-and-thunder pattern. A triangular shape was cast beneath the neck. Its hair is combed upward without the
lower part.

Square Ding with Human Mask Design

A cooking vessel from the late Shang Dynasty (approximately 1700 BC -1100 BC). The entire vessel is 38.5cm long. Its container is 29.8cm long and 23.7cm wide. Unearthed in 1959 in Huangcai, Ningxiang, Hunan Province, it is now in the collection of the Provincial Museum of Hunan.

The ding is rectangular with standing handles and cylindrical legs which are decorated with a gluttonous ogre mask or taotie design. Each of the four sides of the body is decorated with a human mask in relief with pointed nose, projecting cheekbone and closely shut big mouth. This vessel may be
related to the worship of sacred stone roller in the Shang Dynasty. Two characters of "Da He" were carved inside. It is of high artistic value.

Head Sculpture with Braids

A head sculpture for sacrificial use from the late Shang Dynasty (approximately 1700 BC - 1100 BC). It is 10cm wide and 13.5cm high. Unearthed in 1986 in Tomb No.2 of Sanxingdui Ruins, Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, it is now in the collection of Sichuan Cultural Relics and Archeological
Research Institute.

The top of the head is round with a braid-roped hoop. It has heavy eyebrows, big eyes, pointed nose, wide mouth, round ears and pierced earlobes. Its short neck was cast into a triangular shape.

This sculpture is of great value in studying the ancient Sichuan culture.

Shiji Jue

A liquor cup from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100 BC - 771 BC). It is 21.5cm high. Unearthed in 1966 in Zhou Tomb, Xihao, Qishan County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Shaanxi Museum.

It has round bottom and three sharp legs. Kui dragon design is decorated on the cover and body with a banana leaf pattern beneath the edge. The characters carved on the back of the cover show that it was made by Shiji. Only a few pieces of copper Jue have been handed down from ancient times.

He Zun

A liquor container from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100 BC - 771 BC). It is 38.8cm high with a diameter of 28.8cm. Unearthed in 1965 in Jiacunyuan, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

The container has round mouth and oval-shaped body. The lower part of its body is decorated with patterns of animal face, banana leaf and silkworm. Four vertical ridges are cast on its body, presenting a strong three-dimensional effect. The inscription at the bottom of the container with 122
characters records King Zhoucheng's instructions for Zongzi and the event to construct Chengzhou City. It is a material object important for the study of the history of the early Zhou Dynasty.

Boge You

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 27.5cm high with a diameter of 10.7cm. Unearthed in 1980 in Tomb No.7 of Zhuyuangou, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

It is oblate with shanting shoulder and high loop handle. Two ox heads and big sheep heads are shown in relief. Decorations include the patterns of taotie, kui dragons and small animal mask. The whole piece embodies outstanding casting technology and it is the cream of bronze wares of the early
Western Zhou Dynasty.

Zhe Gong

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 38cm long and 28.7cm high. Unearthed in 1976 in Zhuangbai Village, Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of Zhouyuan Museum of Shaanxi Province.

It has a square body with a cover. The top of the cover is shaped like a beast head. Its body is decorated with beast head pattern and ridges. Relieves on the handle include patterns of beast head, bird and elephant nose. It was cast in the period of King Zhouzhao. The whole piece is
well-proportioned and elegant. It is a rare work of art.

Qiangbo Tapir-shaped Zun

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 34cm long and 20.1cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Tomb No.2 of Rujiazhuang, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

It is shaped like a stout tapir with big and round rears, two widely open eyes, long stretched-out lips, slightly lowered belly and four short legs. The lid on its back is shaped like a standing tiger. The decorations include the pattern of beast body on its ear, shoulder and buttock. The
inscription on the cover records that the piece was made for Lady Jing by Qiangbo. Tapir-shaped zun is very rare and it is cream of the bird-shaped zun.

Bird-shaped Zun of Three Legs

A liquor container in the early Western Zhou Dynasty (approximately 1100BC -771BC). It is 30cm long and 23cm high. Unearthed in 1975 in Rujiazhuang, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, it is now in the collection of the Municipal Museum of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.

The bird is plumpy and vivid, holding its head high and looking into the distance. Its three legs stand firmly. Its tail is rectangular-shaped and decorated with plumage pattern like chains. Its whole body is decorated with feather pattern like fish scales. It was well designed with unique image
and is of high value for artistic and mythological study.

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