An exhibition of bronzes was held recently in the northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an, in Shaanxi Province. All the items on display were unearthed in the Zhouyuan region, the home of Chinese bronze wares.
Zhouyuan is the birthplace of the Western Zhou Dynasty in the 11th Century B.C.. Located in the middle of Shaanxi Province, Zhouyuan has also yielded large quantities of bronze wares. These rare and valuable items bear fascinating inscriptions and splendid decorations. They have shed light on the development of the world's art.
The exhibition included three sections. The first part displayed utensils used for eating and drinking, and a number of musical instruments. The second and third part mainly showed key bronze wares and explained the meaning of the inscriptions carved on them and the manufacturing techniques.
All 142 bronze items on show are valuable artifacts unearthed after 1976. These objects display exquisite decorations and point to impressive techniques. Some of the inscriptions have great historical value.
(CCTV September 30, 2002)
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