Department:
The Museum Proper
Replica or Original:
Replica
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Primary Material:
Metal
Medium:
Bronze
Dimensions:
5.5" x 22" x 18.5"
Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Decorative Vessel
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings:
Donated by:
Unknown
Accession Number
1993.048.001
Artifact Date:
1000 B.C. - A.D.
Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-256 BC)
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Chinese
Creator Ancestry:
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In 1976 the Bronze Shi Qian Pan Vessel was discovered in Shanxi Province, China. It was uncovered alongside 100 other vessels belonging to the Wei Clan. The original vessel was forged during the reign of King Gong of Zhou (circa 922-900 B.C.) for a member of the Wei Clan, named Qiang. There are 284 characters inscribed within this specific vessel, and has been described as “the first conscious attempt in China to write history.”
The artifact contrasts most inscriptions, only detailing recent or immediate events, and applauds the previous and current rulers of the Zhou state and outlines the deeds of the first seven Western Zhou Kings. Such recounts include King Wen “the Cultured King’, King Wu ‘the Martial King’ and King Zhao ‘the Radiant King’ amongst the many praises. The end of the inscription touches on the virtues of the original owner of the artifact, Scribe Qiang, and extols blessings of longevity. The replica that exists in our collection is a reflection of the cultural and historic significance of inscriptions that were commonly implicated within Chinese bronze ware.
Artifact Date:
1000 B.C. - A.D.
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046-256 BC)
Creator:
Unknown
Creator Ancestory:
Chinese
Catalogue Entry
Online References:
Inscription of the Shi Qiang pan. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.columbia.edu/itc/ealac/moerman/v2002/read_questions/bronze_pan_inscription.html
"Disputers of the Dao: The Way to Order in the Warring States Period." (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.columbia.edu/itc/ealac/moerman/v2002/read_questions/week02.html
Shi Qiang pan. The Shi Qiang pan, also called the Qiang pan, is an ancient Chinese bronze pan vessel. Dated to the end of the 10th century BCE, it is inscribed. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://amp.ww.en.freejournal.org/36287623/1/shi-qiang-pan.html
Department:
The Museum Proper
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Replica or Original:
Replica
A bronze bowl with characters inscribed within.
一個碗內刻著文字的青銅碗。
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Classification/Category:
Furnishings
Specific Classification:
Decorative Vessel
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings: