Datong bronze

The Datong bronze ware has a long history of exquisite handcraft dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534).

Its bronze hot pot has an interesting structure, with six parts -- a bottom plate, pot body, fire base, bronze cover, fire container and small cover – and took seven steps to make.

It has delicate patterns on it and came in various types, with characteristic local features and was an honored object. In 1973, when French president, Georges Pompidou, visited Datong, a bronze hot pot with dragon patterns, was the gift he got.

Datong bronze ware is currently still popular on the mainland, and also has a large market in Japan, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.