The Shanghai Museum's Collection of Ancient Chinese Bronzes

Dr. Li Chaoyuan

The 1995 construction of the new Shanghai Museum in the shape of a ding ritual vessel is a statement of the importance of ancient bronzes in Chinese culture. Dr. Li Chaoyuan's insightful overview of the Shanghai collection of bronzes during his conversation with Curator Ronald Otsuka explained to the audience why they are so greatly prized.

The selection of only six bronzes to illustrate the conversation must have been a formidable challenge, considering that, with approximately 6,000 objects, the Shanghai Museum has the world's largest and most complete bronze collection. Dr. Li's choice ranged from one of the earliest bronzes in the collection, a tripod wine vessel or jia dating from around 1700 BC, to a round-bodied food vessel, or dou, inlaid with copper and dating from the Spring and Autumn period (770-475 BC). He described each vessel in loving detail, focusing on distinctive features of its pattern, usage, or construction.

The workshop the following day addressed what is currently the hottest field of research in China—the so-called Southern bronzes of Sichuan, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces. Recent archaeological excavations there have uncovered bronze vessels that differ markedly from their Northern counterparts, giving rise to numerous questions on the interaction between the two Chinese cultures, the differences between their rituals and customs, and the origins of the patterns and designs of their bronze vessels. This fascinating topic led to a torrent of questions from the audience, leaving barely enough time for what is usually the main feature of the workshop—an examination of various objects from the Denver Art Museum collection. No Southern bronzes were displayed, alas, but those shown nonetheless served to bring to life many of the points raised during both the conversation and workshop.

The Denver audience was much impressed by Dr. Li's concise yet scholarly explanation of such a wide and difficult subject, and his mastery of the best visual aids that the Curator's Circle has seen. More than this, though, all were touched by the dedication and learning of a man who, despite the great personal hardship he endured during the Cultural Revolution, has a zest for life and research that has helped make the Shanghai Museum amongst the finest in the world.

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