The discovery of this Western Zhou bronze in such good condition in the humid weather of Guangdong Province is nothing short of a miracle.
Animal Mask Pattern Bronze Hé (Wine Vessel) 兽面纹青铜盉
Bronze ware | Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-771 BC) | Dimensions – H: 26.2 cm, D: 14.2 cm | Guangdong Museum, unearthed in Xinyi County in 1974 青铜器｜西周（公元约前1046年-前771年）｜通高26.2厘米，口径14.2厘米｜广东省博物馆藏，1974年信宜县出土
In 1974, the Animal Mask Pattern Bronze Hé was dug up during the construction of the rosin factory in Guangtouling, Xinyi County, Maoming City, Guangdong Province. This is the first Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1046-771 BC) bronze ware unearthed in Guangdong. It is a miracle that a 3,500-year-old bronze ware can be unearthed in a province like Guangdong where it rains all year round. At that time, only this bronze was found at the excavation site, and no other noteworthy relics were found.
The body of the ware resembled that of a Lì 鬲 (a food vessel), with a long spout ending with a dragon head with its mouth as the water outlet. All around the spout is covered with Kuī dragon pattern 夔纹. The cover has another dragon head that is used to lift up the cover. The cover has a circle of animal mask pattern 兽面纹. The moveable handle 鋬耳 is made up of two kui dragon pattern pieces. The top of the body is a round of cloud pattern 雷纹, and the legs are decorated with Taotie pattern 饕餮纹.
Xinyi Bronze Hé 信宜铜盉, named after the place it was found, may have been accidentally left there 3,500 years ago. There were quite a few of the same shape and pattern that were excavated in Henan, which indicated some southward migration of people may have taken place. This hé is probably a mass produced goods that was sold on the market.
During a survey done on the Top 10 Treasures of Guangdong Museum 广东省博物馆, it was voted No.1 with the most number of votes from the public. Hé as a ceremonial or practical bronze ware appeared in the Shang Dynasty and prevailed during the Western Zhou Dynasty. It was a practical wine vessel for mixing wine with water in ancient times.
The Xinyi Bronze Hé is still the only one found in the region of Guangdong Province. The patterns and design of the vessel demonstrated Central Plains Shang-Zhou cultural characteristics. It is a significant piece of evidence for the study of pre-Qin Lingan region’s history and culture.
Bronze Hé (Water Vessel) of Tā 它盉
Bronze ware | Late Western Zhou (c. mid 9th century -771 BC) | Dimensions – L: 39.2 cm, H: 37.5 cm | Shaanxi History Museum Collection, Excavated from Qijiacun, Fufeng County. Baoji City in 1963 青铜器｜西周晚期（公元前九世纪中叶～公元前771年）｜长39.2厘米，通高37.5厘米｜陕西历史博物馆藏，1963年陕西宝鸡市扶风齐家村出土
Water Basin of Tā 它盘
Bronze ware | Late Western Zhou (c. mid 9th century -771 BC) | Dimensions – H: 14.1 cm, D: 40.4 cm, Depth: 6.8 cm, Wt: 8.3 kg | Shaanxi History Museum Collection, Excavated from Qijiacun, Fufeng County. Baoji City in 1963 青铜器｜西周晚期（公元前九世纪中叶～公元前771年）｜通高14.1厘米，口徑40.4厘米，腹深6.8厘米，重8.3公斤｜陕西历史博物馆藏，1963年陕西宝鸡市扶风齐家村出土
The combination of hé 盉 and basin 盘 is similar to yì 匜 and basin, and was used by the aristocrats in ancient times for washing their hands before meals. The same can be inferred to the hé found in Guangdong, but a basin was not found at the excavation site. So we can safely conclude the Xinyi hè was a wine vessel.
The ancient script on bronze objects 金文 for Ta 它 (left) are casted on the basin and cover of the water vessel, indicating the owner of the bronze wares. There was none on the Xinyi hè.
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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