"Xi Jia pan", a bronze plate from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) was sold for 185 million yuan ($27.3 million) at Xiling Yinshe Auction's spring sale on Saturday, which broke the auction record of an antique art in China.
The plate is 11.7 cm high and has a diameter of 47 cm, which is shallow and wide with two handles on its side. The interior of the plate is engraved with an inscription of 133 characters, which records the Western Zhou Dynasty's history, and provides valuable information for the study of this period. The plate, a bronze ware inscribed with the most characters, is also the oldest national treasure among the bronze wares discovered thus far.
"Xi Jia", which is also the name of the owner of the plate, was a high-ranking official during the Western Zhou Dynasty whose official name was Yin Jifu. He was the main collector of China's earliest collections of poems The Book of Songs.
The plate was made during the fifth year of the Xuanwang Period of the Zhou Dynasty (823 BC), unearthed in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and became a part of the imperial collection during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). It then went to private collectors during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), collected by local government and a private collector in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), but was then lost. The plate's feet were broken and it was used as a cooking vessel during the Yuan Dynasty.
Since its appearance in the Song Dynasty, historians attached great importance to "Xi Jia pan", and more than 35 major publications wrote about the plate.
▲THE FIFTH YEAR OF XUANWANG PERIOD, WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY A BRONZE
PLATE WITH TWO HANDLES, 'XI JIA' PAN
Provenance :
1. Imperial collection Southern Song Dynasty
2. Li Shunfu, Yuan Dynasty
3. Xian Yushu, Yuan Dynasty
4. Bao Yang Fu, Qing Dynasty or earlier than Qing Dynasty
5. Chen Jieqi, Qing Dynasty
Literature, illustrations and provenances
1. Annotations on Ancient Vessels of Imperial Southen Song Collection, Vol. 2,
Zhang Lun, 1131-1162
2. Collection of Kun Xue Zhai, Xian Yushu, 1271-1368; previously collected by
Li Shunfu and Xianyu Shu
3. Yan Bei Za Zhi, Vol. 1, Lu Youren, 1271-1368
4. Rubbing of 'Xijia' Pan, Chen Jieqi, collected by National Central Library,
1845-1856
5. Catalogue of Ancient Books collected by Fu Zhai and Inscriptions, Vol. 9, p.
315, Chen Jieqi, 1920
6. Catalogue of Fuzhai's Collections, p. 18, Chen Jieqi, 1936
7. Fu Zhai's Research on Inscriptions on Bronze Wares, p. 63, Chen Jieqi &
Chen Jikui, Cultural Relics Publishing House,2005
8. Rubbings of Bronze Wares of Fu Zhai, Xitian Pan I, Deng Shi, 1918
9. Sale of Fine Ink Rubbings, Lot 4491: Two Kinds of Ink Rubbing (Qing Dynasty)
of 'Xi Jia' Pan, Xiling Yinshe Spring Auction, 2017
10. Jun Gu Lu, Vol. 3, p. 22, Wu Shifen, 1910; previously collected by Bao Yang
Fu and Chen Jieqi
11. Inscriptions on Bronze Vessels of Jun Gu Lu, Vol. 3, pp. 67-70, Wu Shifen,
1895
12. Ancient Articles Collected by Ke Zhai, Vol. 16, pp. 13-14, Wu Dacheng, 1918
13. Zhuiyizhai's Textual Research on Bronze Ritual Vessels, Vol. 7, pp. 7-10,
Fang Junyi, 1935
14. Discussions on Classical Inscriptions, Vol. 3, pp. 35-37, Sun Yirang, 1929
15. Literature of Rubbings on Bronze Wares of Qi Gu Shi, Vol. 8, pp. 19-21, Liu
Xinyuan, 1902
16. Inscriptions on Bronze Wares of Zhou Dynasty, Vol. 4, p. 2, Zou An, 1916
17. Guan Tan Ji Lin: Bie Ji, Vol. 2, pp. 8-10, Wang Guowei, Zhonghua Book
Company, 1959 (written in 1921)
18. Collections of Insriptions on Bronze Wares, Vol. 4, p.26, Wu Kaisheng, 1933
19. Selection of Yu Xingwu's Research on Rubbings, Vol. 1-3, pp. 24-25, Yu
Shengwu, 1934
20. Research on Catalogue of Rubbings in Western and Eastern Dynasties, p. 134,
pp. 143-144, Guo Moruo, 1935
21. Xiao Jiao Jin Ge's Collection of Inscriptions' Rubbings, Vol. 9, p. 84, Liu
Tizhi, 1935
22. Weihuage's Postscripts of Research on Inscriptions, Vol. IX, p. 2, Ke
Changji, 1935
23. Critique on Analects of Inscriptions on Bronze Wares of Zhou and Qin
Dynasties, pp. 115-116, Huang Gongzhu, 1935
24. Research on Chronicle of Inscriptions, Vol. 5, pp. 16-18, Wu Qichang, 1936
25. Inscriptions on Bronzes of Three Dynasties, Vol. 17, p. 20, Luo Zhenyu,
1937
26. General Research on Bronze Ritual Vessels of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, Vol.
1, p. 57, no. 839, Rong Geng, Harvard-Yeching Institute, 1941
27. Ji Wei Ju's Research on Rubbings, Vol. 1, pp. 35-37, Yang Shuda, Science
Press, 1952 (written in 1942)
28. Ancient Punishment and Redeemed Punishment, Si Weizhi, p. 82, issue 1, The
Journal of Humanities, 1958
29. Chronology of Bronze Vessels of Western Zhou Dynasties, Vol. 1, pp.
323-327; Vol.2, p. 826, pl. 213, Chen Mengjia,Zhonghua Book Company, 2004
(written in 1965)
30. Test Publication of Ci Hai: History ( The Eighth Part), p. 473, Ci Hai
Editorial Office of Zhonghua Book Company,1961
31. Ci Hai: World History and Archaeology, p. 318, Shanghai Lexicographical
Publishing House, 1978
32. Rubbings and Hand Copies of Bronze Inscriptions in China, Japan, Europe,
America and Australia Collection, Vol. 1, p.70, Inscription no. 25, Barnard
& Cheung Kwong-yue, Yee Wen Publishing Company, 1978
33. Illustrated Chinese History:Western Zhou Dynasty, p. 115, Ye Daxiong,
Xinxin Cultural Publishing Co.,Ltd., 1979
34. Collection of Calligraphy of Guo Moruo, p. 36, Guo Shuying, Hebei People's
Publishing Press, 1980
35. General Collection of Inscriptions on Bronzes, pp. 3703-3704, no. 6791, Yan
Yiping, Yee Wen Publishing Company,1983
36. Emperor Xuan's Governance of Nan Huai Yi Area and His Connection with
Hubei, Liu Xiang, p. 40, issue 3, Jiang Han Kao Gu, 1983
37. Research on Emperor Xuan's Conquest of Nan Huai Yi Area, p. 66, Liu Xiang,
The Journal of Humanities, 1983
38. 'Zhu': An Inscription of Western Zhou Dynasty and Its Connection to Lands,
Wang Yuzhe, p. 47, issue 3, Nankai Journal, 1983
39. Research on Bronze Vessels of Shang and Zhou Dynasties: General Overview of
Bronze Wares of Shang and Zhou
Dynasties, Vol 1, p. 366, Plate no. 74, Minao Hayashi, Yoshikawa Kobukan, 1984
40. Research on History of Western Zhou Dynasty, p. 266, Editorial Office of
The Journal of Humanities, 1984
41. China Dictionary of Calligraphy, p. 1034, Liang Piyun, Guangdong People's
Publishing House, 1984
42. Square Bronze Vessels of Lu State and Merchants of Western Zhou Dynasty, Li
Xueqin, p. 31, issue 1, Journal of Historical Science, 1985
43. New Research on Inscriptions on 'Xi Jia' Pan, p. 87, issue 4, Lian
Shaoming, Jian Han Kao Gu, 1986
44. Selling Lands instead of Buying Lands, Vol. 14, Hu Dianxian, p. 51, issue
3, Journal of Anhui Normal University, 1986
45. Selected Inscriptions on Bronze Vessels of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, Vol.
1, p. 276, Cultural Relics Publishing House, 1986
46. Inscription Collection of Western and Eastern Zhou Dynasties: Calligraphy,
p. 242, Gu Ming & Xu Gufu, Shanghai Calligraphy and Paintings
Publishing House, 1986
47. Complete Collection of China Fine Arts: Calligraphy and Seal Engraving I:
Calligraphy of Shang and Zhou to Qin and Han Dynasties, Vol. 1, p. 26,
Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House, 1987
48. Chinese Bronze Wares, p. 393, Shanghai Ancient Book Publishing House, 1988
49. Inscription Collection on Bronze Wares of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, p. 305,
Ma Chengyuan, Cultural Relics Publishing House, 1988
50. Selected Essays on Chinese History, Vol. 2, p. 199, Zhang Dake & Xu
Jingzhong, Gansu Educational Press, 1988
51. Interpretation on Inscriptions on Bronzes, p. 398, Hong Jiayi, Jiangsu
Education Publishing House, 1988
52. General Collection of Chinese Calligraphy, p. 31, Huang Siyuan, Henan Fine
Arts Publishing House, 1988
53. Inscriptions: Social History of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, p. 195, Shizuka
Shirakawa, Linking Publishing
Enterprise Co., 1989
54. Ancient Words of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, p. 134, Liu Xiang, Language and
Literature Press, 1989
55. Research on Newly-Unearthed Bronze Wares, p. 138, Li Xueqin, Cultural
Relics Publishing House, 1990
56. Dictionary of China's Generals and Premiers, p. 4, An Zuozhang, Tomorrow
Publishing House, 1990
57. Chronical Dictionary of Chinese Calligraphy, Vol. 1, p. 50, Zhou Ti,
Beijing Yanshan Press, 1990
58. Dictionary of Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Engravings, p. 454, Li Guojun,
Hunan Education Publishing House,
1990
59. Research on Criminal Regulations of Western Zhou Dynasty based on
Inscriptions on Bronze Wares, Yang Guangwei, p. 90, issue 5, Journal of
Shanghai University, 1990
60. Research on Names and Military Affairs in Nan Huai Yi Area of Western Zhou
Dynasty, Zhang Maorong, p. 81,
issue 4, The Journal of Humanities, 1990
61. Research on Ancient Chinese History: Essay Collection by Professor Chen
Lianqing, Vol. 1, p. 1152, Chen Lianqing, Jilin Literature and History
Press, 1991
62. Brief Dictionary of Chinese Antiques, p. 94, edited by Museum of Chinese
History, Fujian People's Publishing House, 1991
63. Annotations for Inscription on Bronzes of Western Zhou Dynasty, p. 187, Qin
Yonglong, Beijing Normal University Publishing House, 1992
64. Dictionary of Chinese Historiography, p. 117, Zhao Zhongwen, Yanbian
University Press, 1992
65. Illustrated Collection of Ancient China's Masterpieces, Vol. 1, p. 1342,
Hua Fu, Jinan Publishing House, 1993
66. Supplementary to the Theory of Connection between Characters 'Jia' and
'Zhu' in Bu Ci and Inscriptions, Shao Hong, p. 89, issue 1, Cultural
Relics of Southern China, 1993
67. Inscriptions on Bronze Wares of Yin and Zhou Dynasties, Vol. 16, no. 10174,
Zhonghua Book Company, 1994
68. Collection of National Treasures, p. 638, Cao Zhezhi, Wenhui Press, 1996
69. Fine Selection of China Chronical Calligraphy: Calligraphy in Seal Script,
p. 34, Lei Zhixiong, Hubei People's Publishing House, 1996
70. Regional Trade during Xia, Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties, Zhou Bin, p.
33, issue 3 of Vol. 17, Journal of Kashgar Teachers College, 1996
71. A Millennial History of Sino-Western Classic Civilization, p. 439, Rizhi,
Jilin Literature and History Publishing House, 1997
72. Selected Essays of Chinese History, p. 104, Wang Soukuan & Gao Wei,
Gansu Cultural Publishing House, 1998
73. Research on Phonetics of Inscriptions on Bronzes, p. 320, Hou Zhiyi,
Northwest University Press, 2000
74. Dictionary of Chinese History, p. 2111, Yanbian People's Press, 2001
75. Compile of the Explanations about the Posy on the Xijia Plate, Shang
Xiuyan, p. 89, issue 4 of Vol. 22, Yindu Journal, 2001
76. Dictionary of Chinese Fine Arts, p. 533, Shen Roujian, Shanghai
Lexicographical Publishing House, 2002
77. Complete Collection of Chinese Calligraphy: Complete Collection of Calligraphy
in Seal Script, Vol. 1, p. 36, Zhang Shuheng, China Archive Publishing
House, 2002
78. China's Calligraphy Arts: Shang and Zhou Dynasties, Spring and Autumn
Period and Warring States Period， no. 84, Gu Xi, Cultural Relics Publishing House, 2003
79. The Continued Textual Research on Xijia Plate, Li Yihai, p. 99, issue 4 of
Vol. 24, Yindu Journal, 2003
80. History of Western Zhou Dynasty, p. 161, Yin Shengping, Shaanxi Normal
University Publishing House, 2004
81. Masterpiece Collection of Chinese Calligraphy in Seal and Official Scripts,
pp. 3-4, Zhang Hong, Yuanfang Publishing House, 2004
82. Research on Excavated Historical Records of Yi People, p. 375, Chen Binxin
& Li Lifang, Anhui University Publishing House, 2005
83. Thesis Index to Bronze Wares (1983-2001), Vol. 1, p. 548, Zhang Maorong
& Zhang Zhongli, Hong Kong Man Sek Culture Int'l Press, 2005
84. Collection of Calligraphy of Pre-Qin Dynasty, p. 163, Zi Du, Central
Compilation & Translation Press, 2005
85. Inscriptions on Bronzes of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, p. 241, Wang Hui,
Cultural Relics Publishing House, 2006
86. Yin Jifu's Legacy and Influence in Fang County, p. 64, Zhang Huatian,
Cultural Relics Publishing House, 2006
87. Inscriptions of Bronze Vessels-The Book of Odes: War Poems-The Verbs
Concerning Conquer, Vol. 43, p. 55, Peng Huixian, Chung Hsing Journal of
the Humanities, 2009
88. Selected Interpretation of Oracles, Inscriptions and Rubbings, p. 109, Ma
Rusen, Shanghai University Press, 2010
89. Dictionary of Chinese History, Vol. 1, p. 517, Zheng Tianting & Tan
Qixiang, Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing
House, 2010
90. From Huaiyi Ethnicity to Registered Citizenship: Geographic Observation on
Ethnical Collision along Huai River in Zhou Dynasty, p. 137, Zhu Jiping,
People's Publishing House, 2011
91. Du Yansong's Theory on Bronze Wares and Inscriptions, p. 239, Du Naisong,
Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House, 2012
92. Textual Research on Inscriptions in Western Zhou Dynasty, p. 77, Wang
Chengyuan, Sichuan University Press, 2012
93. Inscriptions on Bronze Wares, Vol. 1, p. 129, Liu Jia, Shandong People's
Publishing House, 2012
94. General Collection of Chinese Calligraphy in Seal and Official Scripts, p.
44, Si Huiguo, Lantian Publishing House, 2012
95. Illustrated Collection of Inscriptions on Bronze Vessels of Shang and Zhou
Dynasties, Vol. 25, pp. 595-596, no. 14539, Wu Zhenfeng, Shanghai Ancient
Book Publishing House, 2012
96. About Yin Jifu and His Poems, Du Zhiyong, p. 65, issue 0, Shi Jing Yan Jiu
Cong Kan, 2012
97. A Textual Explanation of Three Characters on Plate Xijia, Kang Shaofeng, p.
18, issue 1 of Vol. 32, Journal of Baoji University of Arts and Sciences,
2012
98. Interpretation of Selected Inscriptions of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, p.
259, Ma Rusen, Ma Rusen, Shanghai University Press, 2013
99. Some Reliable Timing in Western Zhou Dynasty, Ye Zhengbo, p. 15, issue 1 of
Vol. 35, Yindu Journal, 2014
100. A Re-Study of the Meaning 'Mu' in on the Xi Jia Pan, Kang Shengnan, p. 23,
issue 4 of Vol. 16, Journal of Zunyi Normal College, 2014
