Introducing Several Inscribed Shang and Zhou Period Bronzes from the Collection of the National Gallery in Prague
Abstract
This article presents the results of the survey of ancient Chinese bronzes in the collection of the National Gallery in Prague undertaken in past years. Five authentic artefacts with authentic inscriptions dating from the Shang (13th-11th c.
BCE) and Western Zhou (11th-8th c. BCE) are dated, analysed from art-historical perspective, their inscriptions are transcribed, interpreted and set into larger historical context, including references to related bronze vessels in other collections worldwide.
Various paths of acquisition of these artefacts are traced and early publications related to these objects are documented. In the appendix to the article two more artefacts are analysed that appear in early publications by the National Gallery but were never part of its collections; their present location remains unknown.