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. 

青銅史牆盤在1976年中國山西省連同𢼸氏的其他 100 艘船隻一起被發現。原器為周恭王年間（約公元前 922-900 年）為𢼸氏人，墻，所造。這件特定的器皿上刻有 284 個大字，被稱為「中國第一次有意識地書寫歷史的嘗試」。

此器物與大多數銘文形成對比。銘文內容僅詳述近期事件，而且大多為讚譽周國的歷任和當任統治者。銘文亦概述了前七位西周國王的事蹟，如文王、武王、昭王等。銘文的結尾部份則讚揚了這件文物的原主人，墻，的美德，並頌揚了長生之福。本館館藏中的複製品反映了中國青銅器中普遍存在的銘文的文化和歷史意義。