Top 9 national treasures from hit TV show
3. Bronze jin with cloud-shaped decorations from Henan Museum
Chinese actor Lei Jiayin plays the owner of the bronze jin with cloud-shaped decorations, Prince Zigeng, son of King Zhuang of Chu. Unearthed in Xichuan county of Central China's Henan province in 1978, the bronze jin, an artifact of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), was a table to hold wine vessels during rituals.
Jin, meaning "forbidden", was also made to warn against the alcohol abuse that led to the downfall of the Xia (c. 21st century-16th century BC) and Shang (c. 16th century-11th century BC) dynasties.
This delicate artwork is one of the earliest bronze objects unearthed in China made by using the lost-wax casting technique. The Chinese government has listed the bronze jin as one of the 64 cultural relics that are forever forbidden to be exhibited abroad.
