© 2022 Smithsonian Institution

The largest bronze foundry complex from antiquity was excavated at Houma in northern China in the mid-twentieth century. At the two-acre site, archaeologists discovered evidence of extremely sophisticated manufacturing techniques. Fragments of reused clay models, master pattern blocks, and decorated clay molds indicate the adoption of ceramic pattern transfers to cast ornamented bronze objects. Using pattern blocks to increase the speed and volume of production without sacrificing quality was an astonishing innovation. Their presence proves foundries at Houma operated with a specialized workforce and a division of labor.

The facility was established around 585 BCE by the rulers of the State of Jin, who remained its chief patrons for about 150 years. Houma produced ornamented objects with complex, abstract designs, inlay, and what is now considered to be the earliest pictorial narratives in China. More than half of the objects featured in this exhibition were made at Houma. Other pieces illustrate the factory’s long-lasting influence and legacy that extended into the Western Han period (206 BCE–9 CE).

Smithsonian, National Museum of Asian Art, Ongoing 

Ritual wine container (hu) with masks, Middle Western Zhou dynasty, ca. late 10th-early 9th century BCE, China. Bronze. H x W x D: 48.8 x 33.3 x 27.8 cm (19 3/16 x 13 1/8 x 10 15/16 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1913.21. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution

Basin (jian) with dragon interlace, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 500-450 BCE, China, Henan province, Huixian. Bronze. H x W: 22.8 x 51.7 cm (9 x 20 3/8 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1939.5. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Lidded ritual food cauldron (ding) with dragon interlace, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. late 6th-early 5th century BCE, China. Bronze. H x W x D: 38.5 x 49.3 x 44.6 cm (15 3/16 x 19 7/16 x 17 9/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1947.20a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Square ritual wine container (fanghu) with narrative scenes, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 5th century BCE, China. Bronze. H x W x D: 37 x 21.8 x 20.9 cm (14 9/16 x 8 9/16 x 8 1/4 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1956.15. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Ritual wine container (hu) with dragon interlace, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 5th century BCE, China. Bronze. H x Diam: 44.8 × 26.6 cm (17 5/8 × 10 1/2 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1957.22. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Lidded ritual wine container (zun) in the form of a bird, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 5th century BCE, China, Shanxi province. Bronze with gold inlay. H x W x D: 26.5 x 13.5 x 20 cm (10 7/16 x 5 5/16 x 7 7/8 in). Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1961.30a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Fitting in the form of an animal, possibly a tapir, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. early 5th century BCE, China, Shanxi province. Bronze. H x W x D: 11.2 x 18.3 x 6.3 cm (4 7/16 x 7 3/16 x 2 1/2 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1940.23. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Fitting in the form of a quadruped with interlace, Late Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, 5th century BCE,China, Probably Shanxi province, Liyu. Bronze. H x W: 11.8 x 20.4 cm (4 5/8 x 8 1/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art,F1948.24. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Basin (jian) with narrative scenes, Middle Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 5th century BCE, China. Bronze. H x W: 28 x 61.4 cm (11 x 24 3/16 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art,F1915.107. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution

Serving vessel with lid (dun) and dragons and ducks, Warring States period, Eastern Zhou dynasty, 5th century BCE, China, Shanxi Province, purportedly from Liyu. Bronze. H x W: 15.3 x 16.4 cm (6 x 6 7/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1932.13a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution

Terminal chock from a chariot, Warring States period, Eastern Zhou dynasty, 5th-4th century BCE, China. Bronze with gold and silver inlay.H x W: 7.9 x 25.6 cm (3 1/8 x 10 1/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art F1932.15a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution

Chariot shaft fitting in the form of a dragon head, Late Warring States period, Late Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 4th century BCE, China, Henan province, Jincun. Bronze with gilding and silvering and glass. H x W x D: 12.9 x 23.1 x 17 cm (5 1/16 x 9 1/8 x 6 11/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1932.14a-c. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Square lidded wine container (fanghu) with geometric decoration, Middle Warring States period, Late Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 4th century BCE, China. Bronze with copper, silver, and malachite inlay. H x W x D: 52.7 x 27.9 x 25.6 cm (20 3/4 x 11 x 10 1/16 in). Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1961.32a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Wine flask (bianhu) with geometric decoration, Late Warring States period, Late Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 3rd century BCE, China, Henan or Hebei province. Bronze with silver inlay. H x W x D (overall): 31.3 x 30.5 x 11.7 cm (12 5/16 x 12 x 4 5/8 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1915.103a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Incense burner (shan lu) with cover, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Bronze. H x Diam (assembled): 17.9 x 10.2 cm (7 1/16 x 4 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1911.79a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution

 Bowl with painted designs, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Bronze with pigment. H x W: 8.5 x 16.3 cm (3 3/8 x 6 7/16 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1916.239. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Model for casting a monster mask, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Unglazed earthenware. H x W: 11.1 x 15.8 cm (4 3/8 x 6 1/4 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1918.144. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution. 

Lidded ritual container (hu) with painted decoration, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Bronze, H x W: 16.8 x 13.2 cm (6 5/8 x 5 3/16 in). Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1968.32a-b.  © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Basin with painted decoration, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Bronze. H x W: 8.1 x 15.7 cm (3 3/16 x 6 3/16 in). Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1968.33. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Lidded food cauldron (ding) with painted decoration, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Bronze. H x W: 13.5 x 16.9 cm (5 5/16 x 6 5/8 in). Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1968.34a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Lidded square ritual wine vessel (fanghu) with painted decoration, Han dynasty, 206 BCE-220 CE, China. Bronze. H x W: 17.8 x 10.9 cm (7 x 4 5/16 in). Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1968.35a-b. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Cup and stand, early Warring States period, Late Eastern Zhou dynasty, ca. 5th-4th century BCE. Black and red lacquer on wood core. H x W x D: 23.5 x 15.5 x 17.9 cm (9 1/4 x 6 1/8 x 7 1/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1949.1. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution. 

Cup, Warring States period, Eastern Zhou dynasty, 5th-3rd century BCE. Lacquer. H x W x D: 5 x 15.2 x 17.1 cm (1 15/16 x 6 x 6 3/4 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1947.24. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.

Ewer of brownish lacquer over wood, representing a crouching animal, Eastern Zhou to Western Han dynasty, 3rd century BCE, China. Lacquer. H x W x D: 15.6 x 15.4 x 30.7 cm (6 1/8 x 6 1/16 x 12 1/16 in). Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment, Freer Gallery of Art, F1949.22. © 2022 Smithsonian Institution.