In a groundbreaking exhibition at the Sichuan Provincial Museum, a 3,000-year-old bronze vessel adorned with a cute coiling dragon has provided new insights into the historical significance of the Shu Road, a crucial trade route connecting Sichuan with the rest of China.
Exhibition Highlights Cultural Exchange on the Shu Road
The Great Passes and the Weave of China—People, Land, and Chinese Spirit on the Great Shu Road exhibition showcases over 430 precious cultural relics related to the Shu Road. These artifacts, ranging from bronze vessels and silk embroidery to goldware and calligraphy, illustrate the road’s history of unity, openness, upward spirit, and rich cultural heritage.
The Unique Coiling Dragon Vase
One of the standout exhibits is a coiling dragon bronze jar with an intricately carved dragon lid. This jar, a star exhibit of the Sichuan Provincial Museum, is paired with another similar jar from the Xiangzhou Museum in Hubei Province. Despite originating from thousands of miles apart, the two jars share an identical shape and decorative patterns, sparking curiosity among visitors.
The Story Behind the Similarity
Gao Jun涛, Deputy Director of the Research and Education Center at the Sichuan Provincial Museum, explained the similarity between the two jars in an interview with The Cover News. He suggested that these bronze jars, all dating from the early Western Zhou Dynasty, reflect the new atmosphere of the Zhou Dynasty after the fall of the Shang Dynasty. The elaborate decorations and luxurious aesthetics of these artifacts represent the high level of bronze-casting skills during that time.
Bronze as a Witness to Cultural Exchange
The coiling dragon bronze jars, along with other bronze artifacts displayed in the exhibition, provide evidence of the frequent exchanges between Sichuan and other parts of China during the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. The intricate patterns on these artifacts can be traced back to different regions, indicating the influence of Zhou culture.
The Influence of Zhou Culture
Gao Jun涛 believes that the bronze artifacts from the Zhuyuan Street bronze cache in Pengzhou, Sichuan, were likely cast in the central plains and then spread to Sichuan. This theory is supported by the similarities in the decorative patterns and casting techniques of these artifacts.
The Significance of the Exhibition
The exhibition not only highlights the historical significance of the Shu Road but also challenges the traditional perception of Sichuan as a remote and isolated region. It reveals the rich cultural exchanges and connections between Sichuan and other parts of China during ancient times.
Conclusion
The exhibition of the coiling dragon bronze jars and other related artifacts provides a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the historical significance of the Shu Road and the cultural exchanges that took place along this ancient trade route. It serves as a reminder of the vibrant history of Sichuan and its integral role in the development of Chinese civilization.
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