Like many bronzes that are difficult to imitate, we still don't know what technology was used to make them in ancient times.
So, until now, we can only laugh at ourselves and say it is an ancient fake.
There are many other works with the highest level of craftsmanship like this, such as the "unique in the world" Shenmianyou.
Its weird smiling shape also caused a "counterfeiting controversy"!
In the early 1990s, a mysterious man sent a bronze from China to Oxford University in England.
Then they punched 6 holes in the bronze and conducted an "authenticity appraisal"!
Because of "rumors of fakes" in the industry, this 3,100-year-old Western Zhou cultural relic suffered physical damage...
Of course, it was also because of this destruction that a strange divine mask appeared.
This bronze vessel is called "Shenmian Yao (ou)", and its style is completely different from the usual bronze vessels.
In the early 1990s, it suddenly appeared in the European collection world.
Because of its unique shape, it shocked many bronze collectors around the world as soon as it appeared.
卣 is a kind of vessel, which belongs to ancient Chinese wine vessels.
It was popularly used during the Shang Dynasty and the Western Zhou Dynasty, when it was used to hold wine.
This "Shenmian Yao" that suddenly appeared has a beam height of 33.8 centimeters, a vessel height of 16.4 centimeters, a diameter of 14 centimeters, an abdominal diameter of 19.6 centimeters, a bottom diameter of 15.2 centimeters, and a weight of 4.23 kilograms.
Both the cover and the body of the vessel are represented by a divine face with two horns. Its face is ferocious, its small eyes are wide open, and two fangs are bared.
The most fascinating thing is the expression on the god's face. It seems to be smiling, but it also reveals a hint of weirdness.
Its eyes are staring straight ahead, as if it is looking at you, which has a breathtaking feeling!
There is an owl standing on the top of the lid, and an owl-shaped button is decorated in the center of the lid. There are two long warps in the middle of each side of the mouth of the utensil, standing upright in the middle of the handle.
Both sides of the lower part near the foot are also decorated with a double snake, an owl, a tapir, an elephant, a snake, etc., with strange, vivid and unique expressions.
Because it is a wine vessel, there is a handle on it.
This lifting beam is composed of two dragons sharing one tail, with the dragon's tail upward.
There is a monster on each end of the lifting beam, which is composed of an elephant trunk, an ox head, and a sheep horn.
No matter who sees such a strange bronze urn, they will be surprised, hesitant, and doubtful!
Because of such an exaggerated and weird bronze ware, it was also an "unique" among the bronze ware that appeared all over the world at that time!
Bronze vessels from the Shang and Zhou dynasties were mostly solemn and mighty ritual vessels because they symbolized the noble status of the owner.
But this "God-faced 卣" is a bit "cute".
Such a contrast has made countless people surprised by its shape, but also a little confused...
Of course, this may be because at that time, those weird-looking or cute bronzes in Sanxingdui had not yet been produced.
Therefore, everyone was surprised when they discovered this bronze artifact.
However, even so, major collection institutions from Europe, Wanwan and Neon at that time also had a strong interest in this bronze!
After some fierce competition, a museum in Neon acquired it for 50 million yuan!
However, not long after, things took a dramatic turn!
Some rumors suddenly spread among the people - this "Western Zhou Dynasty God Faced Sword" may be a fake!
As a result, Neon’s buyers and original sellers couldn’t sit still!
Because the authenticity of this item is related to their reputation in the professional field of bronze ware.
Once it is confirmed that this is a "fake", they will become a laughing stock in the industry...
Therefore, the seller of the Shenmian You contacted Oxford University in Yinglun and some research institutions in Chou, and they prepared to conduct an "identification" for the bronze!
This is what was mentioned at the beginning of the story. Foreign institutions used a method called thermoluminescence testing to drill six small holes in the body of the god and took samples for testing.
This identification is based on the bronzes of the Shang and Zhou dynasties of China, and the alloys used in their castings have fixed proportions.
It can be tested and compared to determine whether the proportions of this bronze are the same...
The test results are gratifying. This is indeed a top-quality bronze from the early Western Zhou Dynasty in China and is over 3,100 years old!
However, because this product has experienced such a complicated "controversy", in the words of the industry, it has become "dirty".
In the end, Neon decided to give up the purchase...
At such an embarrassing moment, the Poly Art Museum from China bravely stood up!
They invited my country's top bronze experts to conduct an "authentic appraisal" of the artifact.
When the experts first saw this divine mask, they were amazed and their love was beyond words!
When they heard that foreign institutions actually used the method of damaging artifacts to conduct appraisals, experts all felt regretful!
Because, in the appraisal of bronzes, Huaxia is the most professional!
They can provide identification results directly through the details and characteristics of the object's shape while the bronze remains intact.
This "divine-faced beast" is indeed from the early Western Zhou Dynasty, and there is no doubt that it is authentic...
Experts strongly recommend that Poly buy this artifact so that Shen Mian You, who has unique artistic attainments, can return to the embrace of our country!
In the end, the Poly Art Museum purchased this rare national treasure for only 10 million!
It is said that the person in charge of the neon museum that he had purchased and then returned later came to Poly to visit the "Shenmian You". While he was admiring it carefully, he felt annoyed at the same time!
Finally, he also expressed his willingness to bid 50 million to buy this thing from Poly!
This proposal is of course impossible to realize!
Once this rare Chinese "national treasure" returns to our country, is there any reason for it to be lost overseas again?
This is the twists and turns of the "Western Zhou Dynasty Divine Face" story!
As for its origin, there is a theory that it may have come from an ancient tomb in Fufeng, Western Shaanxi Province. It was later collected by the palace, and was robbed abroad during the Eight-Power Allied Forces period...
From the somewhat "weird and cute" big eyes of Shenmianyou, can we feel the vicissitudes of its lonely journey through more than three thousand years?
And how much top-notch craftsmanship has been hidden in these three thousand years of vicissitudes?
Not to mention anything else, there is only an image of a kind and joyful "divine face" cast on the lid and belly of the vessel.
This contrasts with the mysterious, serious and even ferocious appearance of animal masks commonly seen on Shang and Zhou bronzes.
As soon as this stone appeared in the capital of China, bronze experts immediately sighed that it was unprecedented;
The famous oil painter met by chance and couldn't stop looking at it. He was amazed by the artistic treasure.
Among thousands of Shang and Zhou bronzes, this is the first time that such a lovely feeling appears.
It is no wonder that people who see it think it is one of the most artistically valuable works of bronze in existence.