Bronze Ware at the Yellow River Museum

Henan Museum houses an enormous and high-quality collection of Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes, known as the "Chinese Bronze Treasure." The museum's crown jewel, the Fu Hao Owl-shaped Wine Vessel, is a biomimetic wine container from over 3,000 years ago, cast with more than ten precision molds. Its round carving technique is lifelike, and the intricate dragon and phoenix patterns are unparalleled, showcasing the pinnacle craftsmanship of the Shang dynasty. Standing in the exhibition hall, the heavy aura of ritual bronze fills the air, as if transported back to a Shang dynasty sacrificial ceremony. These national treasures not only witness the rise of the Central Plains dynasties but also represent the earliest metal epic of Chinese civilization—without seeing it in person, how can one truly grasp the profound impact of "Half of Chinese history is Henan's history"? The Lotus and Crane Double Vase, among many others, each piece is a national treasure. Seeing these artifacts, it feels as if the Xia and Shang civilizations are not so far away from us.