Background

Smelting and production of bronze wares in China started in the Xia Dynasty (c.2100 BC --- c.1600 BC), and developed into a complete system in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. In the Zhou Dynasty, with the decline of the imperial power, the function of bronze wares lessened as representation of the emperor's rituals and the social estate system. The states made sacrificial vessels by themselves such as the traditional ding (tripod) and gui (round-mouthed food vessel), and newly invented bronze wares like zun (wine vessel), fou (percussion instrument) and he (a tripod vessel) with a loop handle. The bronze wares were engraved with beautiful, exquisite patterns usually of winding, intertwined dragon and snakes. The inscriptions on them are often records of the dukes' and senior officials' use or records of marriages. During this period, sacrificial bronze wares in diversified styles and forms flourished in different areas of China, representing a peak in the history of bronze development.

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