Tracing back to the distant Xia and Shang dynasties, China has entered a dazzling era of bronze civilization. In this glorious chapter, the Four Rams Square Zun stands proudly in the hall of the National Museum of China with its extraordinary posture, becoming an outstanding example of bronze art. This vessel is square in shape, with a wide mouth and precise edge length of 52.4 centimeters on each side. The overall height is 58.3 centimeters, and the weight is nearly 34.5 kilograms. It not only appears majestic and heavy, but also maintains its dignity and elegance.
The most eye-catching feature of the Four Rams Square Zun is undoubtedly the intricately carved curled horn sheep head on its shoulders and four corners. These four sheep heads are lifelike, with curled horns and winding necks protruding out of their vessels. The body and legs of the sheep are cleverly integrated with the belly and legs, creating a harmonious and symbiotic scene. On top of the statue, the decorations are intricate and exquisite. The front chest and neck back of the sheep’s head are covered with delicate scale patterns, while the sides are adorned with long crown phoenix patterns. The corners are decorated with majestic Kui patterns, and every detail reveals the exquisite craftsmanship and ultimate pursuit of beauty of the craftsmen.
Zun, as a vessel used to hold wine in ancient China, was given the sacred mission of a ceremonial vessel during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, frequently appearing in solemn sacrificial ceremonies. The Zuo Zhuan states: “The great affairs of the country lie in the worship and military service.” As an important means of consolidating rule and praying for divine protection, the status of worship is self-evident. As one of the outstanding sacrificial vessels, the Four Sheep Square Zun’s unique design in the form of a sheep actually contains profound cultural connotations.
In the pre Qin period, sheep were an important sacrifice in sacrificial ceremonies, second only to cows in terms of status. The shape of the sheep head on the Four Sheep Square Zun may be a vivid representation of this ancient custom. At the same time, sheep, as a symbol of docility and auspiciousness, has been loved by Chinese people since ancient times. The character “beauty” in oracle bone script is shaped like a sheep; And the “auspiciousness” of “xiang” also evolved from the character “yang”. These ancient cultural symbols all demonstrate the profound emotions and beautiful aspirations of the ancients towards sheep.
However, the reason why the Four Sheep Square Zun can become the pinnacle of bronze art is not only due to its unique shape and cultural significance, but also due to its exquisite casting craftsmanship. This vessel adopts the traditional pottery casting method and combines it with joint casting technology to perfectly integrate the complex body and accessories. Especially the design of the door edges around the body of the statue is ingeniously crafted, serving not only as decoration but also cleverly concealing the traces of casting, making the whole piece seamless and flawless.
However, the fate of the Four Rams Fang Zun was not smooth sailing. Since its excavation in Ningxiang, Hunan in 1938, it has gone through ups and downs. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was almost destroyed by the flames of war. Fortunately, after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, with the unremitting efforts and careful restoration of cultural relics workers, the Four Rams Square Zun finally regained its former glory. In 1959, as a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the National Day, it was transferred to the Beijing Museum of Chinese History (now the National Museum of China) and became one of the treasures of the museum.
To this day, after three thousand years of wind and rain baptism, the Four Rams Square Zun still attracts countless people’s attention with its unique charm and profound cultural connotations. It is not only a physical witness of ancient sacrificial culture, but also an outstanding embodiment of the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese nation.
