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[9 Nov 2009 | Comments Off on Taibao Tetrapod: A Delicate Bronze Ware | 1,413 views]
Taibao Tetrapod: A Delicate Bronze Ware

This bronze ware perhaps was unearthed around mid 19th century during Daoguang or Jiaqing era of Qing Dynasty at Liangshan, Shouzhang County, Shandong Province. There are six other bronze wares unearthed at the same time. All together, they are known as “Seven Treasures of Liangshan”. As the most precious one of seven, Taibao Ding was owned by several people, such as Li Zong-dai, Ding Lin-Nian, Xu Shi-chang, etc. Xu even wrote a poem “Song for Obtaining the Ding” to celebrate his ownership.

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[26 Oct 2009 | Comments Off on Da Ke Ding Tripod: Another Bronze Ware Treasure | 2,657 views]
Da Ke Ding Tripod: Another Bronze Ware Treasure

Da Ke Ding Tripod is a famous West Zhou Dynasty bronze ware. Together with Big Meng Ding and Maogong Ding, they are the “Three Bronzeware Treasures in Greater China”.

Da Ke Ding Tripod was unearthed in an underground storage in 1890 with 1200+ other bronze wares, including 7 Small Ke Dings, one set of 6 Ke Bells, etc. Da Ke Ding was first bought by Ke Zhao-Min, then given to Pan Zuyin.

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[10 Sep 2009 | Comments Off on Bell Set of Marquis Su of Jin: hear my ancient song | 1,776 views]
Bell Set of Marquis Su of Jin: hear my ancient song

Near the Village Qu of Quwo County in Shanxi Province, where located the ancient capital of Jin State, there are nine tombs of Jin marquises and their wives. During the early 1990s, grave robbing was rampant in that region, and many precious cultural relics lost overseas.

In December 1992, Ma Cheng Yuan, the head of Shanghai Museum, found this set of 14 antique bells in a Hong Kong antique shop. At that time, many other people thought it’s fake because of its carved insciptions. Mr. Ma is an expert on bronze wares, and he knew they are precious relics. So he bought them and mailed it back to Shanghai.

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[22 Aug 2009 | One Comment | 4,588 views]
Turquoise Inlaid Ivory Cup: A Luxury Taste of Wine

This ivory cup, using relief, line engraving, inlay, etc. a variety of techniques, is a rare art treasure.

It was unearthed from The Tomb of Lady Fu Hao at Yinxu, one of the oldest and largest archaeological sites in China and is one of the Historical capitals of China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yinxu is famous as the original source of oracle bones and oracle bone script, the earliest recorded form of Chinese writing.

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[27 Jul 2009 | 3 Comments | 12,274 views]
Phoenix Crown: Empresses’ Luxury Headdresses

Phoenix crown is a Chinese traditional headgear for women. It was worn by noblewomen in the Ming Dynasty on ceremonies or official occasions. It is also the traditional headgear for brides. It is adorned with gold dragons, phoenixes made with kingfisher feathers, beaded pheasants, pearls and gemstones.

Phoenix crown was first developed in Tang Dynasty, and has been worn ever since till the Ming Dynasty, with many changes made with time.