As far back as in Shang Dynasty, the surrounding peoples had been via various ways in frequent contact with the Central Plains. Their bronzes were a combination of lively forms and unique patterns.

      The colorful multicultural presence existed from late Shang, through Western Zhou, and then into Eastern Zhou, creating a dazzling array of various bronze civilizations, each with its distinctive characteristics. These cultures scattered around in the north (today's Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Northeast), in Ba & Shu (today's Sichuan), in Dian (today's Yunan), and today's Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Their bronzes were either influenced by the Central Plains as a result of interactions, or purely exhibiting local arts and variations of their owns.

      Finally into the empires of Qin and Han, the unification under one imperial rule brought together from four corners what used to be featured locally. The spread of local bronzes to the Central Plains also helped facilitate the integration process of Chinese Culture.

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  Lei wine vessel with sheep heads, lozenge and knob pattern

  • Late Shang Dynasty
  • c. 13^th to 11^th century B.C.E.
  • h. 37.3 cm　 w. 31.3 cm

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  Square Zun wine vessel with round mouth, animal heads, and animal mask pattern

  • Late Shang Dynasty
  • c. 13^th to 11^th century B.C.E.
  • h. 44.9 cm　 w. 43.5 cm