The two bronze chariots and horses found at the mausoleum complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang are famed as “The Crown of Bronze Works”.
National Treasure 国宝
Bronze Chariot No. 1 一号铜车马
Bronze | Qin dynasty (221-206 BC) | Dimensions: H: 88 9/16 in (225 cm), Weight: 2339.11 lbs (1,061 kg) | Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong, Shaanxi Province, China, Excavated in the Pit of Chariots and Horses, mausoleum complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang (210 BC)
In the summer of 1978, a large pit 20 metres west of the emperor’s mausoleum was found by archaeologists. It was in the shape of a “山” with its southern part consisting of 5 parallel north-south wing rooms and an east-west sloping doorway.
From November to December of 1980, a series of trial excavations were conducted and eventually two sets of brilliantly painted bronze chariots each drawn by four horses were found from the wing room No.1. The first one is a standing chariot named Chariot One. The second one is a sitting chariot named Chariot Two.
It is half the length of actual chariots used during the Qin dynasty. Chariots such as this would have been used as transportation by the Imperial guards that accompanied the First Emperor to go on regular inspection tours of his empire. They are not the Emperor’s chariot because the Emperor’s chariot was to be drawn by six horses instead “天子驾六” as described by the Rites of Zhou 周礼.
The bronze chariots and horses were made half the size of the real ones with all the minute details exactly made the same way as the real ones. To achieve that, most parts are made of bronze and decorated with various patterns of brilliant colours. Meanwhile, the accessories of the chariots and horses are made of gold and silver to show a sense of nobility and hierarchy. Given clear structure and comprehensive driving system, the bronze chariots and horses offer solid materials for the study of Chinese ancient chariots and horses.
Cast and forged by sophisticated techniques, the two chariots weighing 2,302kg, are made up of over 6,000 parts. To set them up, various assembling techniques were used to connect different parts including snap fasteners, hinges, shafts and rivets. As to the casting, there are three techniques which can be specifically divided into seven to eight kinds. Besides, some components are made by filing, polishing, drilling, chipping, chiseling, inlaying, punching, and fitter assembling.
By far the largest, most complex structure, and most complete harness system in Chinese archaeological history, the chariots and horses fully demonstrate the advanced metallurgical and mechanical technology of the Qin Dynasty, and are a perfect evidence for the study of science and technology in ancient China.
About Chinese National Treasure Series
中華國寶系列 Chinese National Treasure series feature specific artefacts and relics from museums all around the world that are historically significant to be considered a National Treasure. The series covers the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation from Neolithic periods before the Xia dynasty (c. 2070-1600 BC) to modern day.
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