The history of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization is half cast out of brilliant bronze wares. The Bronze Age, starting from the Erlitou Culture near Luoyang, the ancient capital of 13 dynasties, and the Qijia Culture of 4,000 years ago as relics have shown, plays an important role in the development of Chinese civilization with its long history of 2,000 years. Growing out of the Neolithic Age, the initial stage of the Bronze Age produced mostly crockery which was later replaced by porcelain and ironware at the ending ages. The Bronze Age, with its long history of 2,000 years, witnessed brilliant technologies and colorful productions of bronze ware. Their rich patterns came from images of dragon, tiger, cattle, horse, goat, deer, elephant, human, birds and many others. It involved lines resembling beasts, mosquitoes, wind, dragons, fishes, tortoises, bamboos, leaves, various abstract geometrical shapes and decades of others, to name only the decorative textures on them. From huge tripod cast standing for supreme power to daily appliances, from royal ceremony wares to decorative handicrafts, from musical instruments to weapons, they are shining like blooming stars in the night sky, recording the extravagant life and the luxury funeral of aristocrats and royal family members, reflecting the flourish of Chinese civilization even at its early age. Here displayed are selected bronze works from royal appliances or rare national collections with long history, superior taste and supreme artistic value, each of which is treasured beyond purchase or even casual appreciation.
Producer: Luoyang Zhongding Ancient Art Research Institute
