3,100-year-old masterpieces: Ancient Hunan's bronze brilliance

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A rectangular bronze Fanglei wine vessel is seen at the "Hunanese: Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture" in Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha City, central China's Hunan Province, May 17, 2026. /CGTN

A pig-shaped bronze wine vessel is seen at the "Hunanese: Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture" in Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha City, central China's Hunan Province, May 17, 2026. /CGTN

An elephant-shaped bronze vessel is seen at the "Hunanese: Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture" in Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha City, central China's Hunan Province, May 17, 2026. /CGTN

A bronze Bu vessel with Taotie mask patterns is seen at the "Hunanese: Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture" in Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha City, central China's Hunan Province, May 17, 2026. /CGTN

Exquisite aesthetic, sophisticated patterns and vivid animal shapes … all these bronze vessels were smelted more than 3,100 years ago during the late Shang Dynasty. This rectangular bronze Fanglei wine vessel is the largest of its kind, standing at nearly 85 centimeters high. The elephant-shaped vessel has a clever design: wine was poured in through an opening on the elephant's back, and poured out through its trunk. It combines practical function with artistic beauty. When visiting the Hunan Provincial Museum, do not miss the "Hunanese: Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture," where you will be astonished by the wisdom and taste of the ancient Hunan people.

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