Henan Museum’s treasure is China’s oldest sports trophy

Check out China’s earliest sports trophy from the early Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC)! This exquisite bronze gui vessel features a pair of dragon-head handles and a flared base, adorned with intricate motifs that exude grandeur and elegance.

The vessel boasts an inscription of 74 Chinese words telling the story of its owner, Zuo Bo, who won ten copper panels as awards of an archery competition and commemorated his victory by casting this bronze ware with the copper panels. The artifact offers invaluable insights into ancient Chinese archery rituals and traditions.

Unearthed in 1993 in Pingdingshan, Henan, the vessel is now housed in the Henan Museum.