Two National-grade Bronze Sculptures of China
Si Mu Wu Ding was named after the three characters “Si Mu Wu” engraved on the inter wall of the belly and a memorial bronze sculpture of the Emperor of Shang to his mother (named Wu). So far, it is the largest and the heaviest bronze statue among the unearthed dings. Besides, it has a legendary experience. In March 1939, it was discovered in a farmland of the villager, Wu Yuyao, in Wuguan Village, Houjiazhuang, Anyang, Henan. Due to its large size and heavy weight, it was difficult to move or transport. People then tried to saw off the large tripod, and shipped it out, but only a foot was cut. Hence, they quietly buried the tripod. Later on, the news about this bronze statue leaked, the Japanese came to search. Without any result, they offered 700,000 coins to purchase it. The local people cleverly sent them another tripod and this national treasure was stay put in China finally.
After the war, in June 1946, the bronze statue was re-dug out and first store in Anyang County. At the end of October the same year when Chiang Kai-shek, the president of National Government was on his sixth birthday, the local garrison tended to take this ding as a gift and specifically transported it to Nanjing. Chiang Kai-shek instructed the Preparatory Office of the Central Museum to take care of it. To the summer of 1948, this chinese bronze was displayed to the public for the first time. Chiang Kai-shek came to visit in person and took pictures in front of this bronze statue, proving the high degree of attention. Later, the National government wanted this tripod being exported to Taiwan, but dispelled this idea because of the difficulty. After the founding of The People’s Republic of China, this ding was collected in Nanjing Museum and then handed over to Museum of Chinese History in 1959, and now a special treasure.
Guo Ji Zi Bai Pan (or plate, a water bronze statue) cast in 816 BC obtained this name for the caster named Bai, the second son of Guo state of ancient China. Together with the San Shi Pan and Mao Gong ding, they are known as the three great bronze sculptures of Western Zhou. In terms of the number of the inscriptions, the characters carved on this pan (111 words) are slightly inferior. But in the matter of the mass size and superb craftsmanship, this bronze statue occupies the leading position.
This pan is made in peculiar and great shapes and bears a strong resemblance to a large bathtub. The mouth presents in circular bead and rectangle shape. On each side are two animal heads holding a loop in the mouth and circular bands on the belly. There is qieque pattern carved under the mouth rim. The eight-line inscriptions on the bottom narrate that in the first month of twelfth year of Emperor Xuan of Zhou (816 BC), Guo’s son Bai received orders to go out to the battle and returned victorious. Xuan Wang granted him awards and praised him. Hence, Bai cast this china bronze for a souvenir.
　Many words and expression of the inscriptions confirmed mutually with the chapters in the Book of Songs, thus important historical material to study on the ethnic relations and the geography at the north and northwest of that time. According to legend, when this ancient Chinese bronze statue was unearthed, the local farmers once applied it to hold water to drink the horse. After several twists and turns, it became the state-owned for more people to know its value.
Ancient Chinese bronze sculptures do not only have high value of appreciation, but has a high scientific value as well. Each piece of bronze statue of China is an artwork with unique charm. The blend of craftsmanship and cultural art make the Chinese Bronze civilization that did not emerge earliest come from behind, standing in the advanced level of the world, and also push forward the smelting technology of bronze sculpture to a new peak.
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