Dubbed as “a kingdom of animals and plants,” Yunnan is a beautiful and biologically diverse province in Southwest China. Now an exhibition of bronzewares with various animal decorations from the ancient Dian kingdom in Yunnan gives a glimpse into the history and culture of the area from 2,000 years ago.

The written record of the Dian kingdom can be found only in Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-A.D. 220) historian Sima Qian’s book “Records of the Grand Historian,” suggesting that it lasted about 500 years from the early Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) to the mid Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-A.D. 8). No other historical documents about the kingdom had been found until a Dian tomb was excavated in 1955 in Jinning in southwest modern Kunming. Thousands of bronze artifacts and their distinctive figural decoration disclosed the Dian social and historical life.

A bronze buckle ornament. Cao Zhen

The Dian bronzewares are of many kinds: cowry containers, ritual vessels, ethnic musical instruments, weapons, tools, accessories, decorative appliances and so on, all of which reflect strong Yunnan regional and ethnic features. Some were decorated with preying tigers or masculine bulls, as well as deer, peacocks, boars and monkeys in diverse postures, while some reflect multi-ethnic life scenes in ancient Yunnan.

Cowry containers were piggy banks in the Dian kingdom since experts believe cowries served as currency at the time, and the containers were used as a symbol of wealth. The lids of the cowry containers had different sculptures featuring animal fighting or human hunting scenes. The sculptures on the lids also showed the prominent status or the glorious experience of the hosts buried in the tombs.

Buckle ornaments were also typical artifacts among the Dian bronzewares. Some buckles were carved into animal patterns while some were in the shape of houses or human dancing scenes. Regardless of the shapes, there is a hook welded on the back to buckle it onto clothes or other things.

Dates: Until Sept. 18

Booking: WeChat account “iszbwg”

Venue: Shenzhen Museum (of Ancient Art), Futian District (福田區(qū)深圳博物館古代藝術館)

Metro: Line 9 to Hongling South Station (紅嶺南站), Exit A