Hunan Museum, Hunan province

During the late Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC), to escape from wars and chaos, some Yin clan people from the Shang territory who were proficient in metallurgy and casting technology migrated southward to Hunan province and introduced their bronze casting method to the province. Hunan province is thus one of the areas in southern China where the largest number of bronzes of various types from the Shang and Zhou dynasties (c.16th century-256 BC) have been unearthed.

At the Hunan Museum, the permanent exhibition Hunanese—Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture displays exquisite and precious bronze wares, including the museum’s most precious treasure: the Square-Sectioned Lei Container of Min from the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC), to trace the ancestors of the Hunanese and outline ancient ritual civilization.

Click the link to learn more about the Hunan Museum