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Bronze ladle reflects steppe style 3,000 years ago
Updated: Jan 29, 2024
govt.chinadaily.com.cn
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This bronze ladle, dating back to the late Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC), is crafted for scooping wine. It features a semi-spherical bowl and an elongated handle adorned with a ram’s head at the end.
On the handle, a fierce tiger stands behind a quadruped. The tiger’s robust body, erect ears and curled long tail capture a hunting stance.
This intricately designed ladle embodies the style of steppe bronze ware, which is characterized by animal sculptures as a dominant form of decoration. Unearthed from Qingjian county, Shaanxi province, in 1977, it is now in the permanent collection of the Shaanxi History Museum.
