Chinese bronze

Bronze is an alloy of copper, tin and a small amount of lead. Its appearance marked the advancement of human culture from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. From the 17th century BC to the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD200), Chinese people used rare and precious bronze to cast large quantities of ritual vessels, musical instruments and weapons that were elegant in form, finely decorated and clearly inscribed with Chinese characters. They affirm the artistic achievements of ancient China, and demonstrate how early Chinese used their ingenuity to create works that incorporated both science and art from natural resources.
In the China's ancient ritualistic society, bronze was used primarily for casting ceremonial temple vessels used in sacrifices to the gods of heaven, earth, the mountains and rivers. They were also used in vessels for banquets, awarding ceremonies and noble funerals. Since bronze is a durable material resistant to cracks and breakage, it was used by kings to cast inscribed vessels honoring the ancestors of dukes, princes and ministers who made great contributions to their nation or sovereign, serving as a reminder to later generations. The world-famous Mao Gong Ding, for example, a bronze tripod on display at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, was imperially commissioned. Inside the tripod is an inscription 497 characters in length, divided into 32 lines and two halves that extend from the mouth of the vessel to the bottom. The inscription is the imperial mandate for the casting of the vessel, written in a stately and powerful tone. The inscription on this particular vessel is the longest among all bronze unearthed so far.