The Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica, has long boasted a rich collection of oracle bones and other valuable artifacts, all of which were unearthed at the Ruins of Yin between 1928 and 1937. On December 10th, 2014, Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd. handpicked eight objects from this collection and released “Ancient Chinese Artifacts Postage Stamps—The Ruins of Yin”. With the debut of these stamps, this exhibition showcases IHP’s collection from the Ruins of Yin, particularly the eight objects shown on the stamps. And the hope is to “stamp” a time tunnel back to the past which would lead the visitors to envision the Ruins of Yin and the brilliance of the Shang Dynasty.
Animal-Mask Bridle Ornament with Turquoise Inlays
This artifact was excavated from the horse pit and this was the most exquisite and intact piece unearthed. The bronze was used as the base, on which the contours of the animal were carved. Turquoise was cut into small pieces and plastered to the base. The back of the artifact features a pair of crossing supports for threading leather strings through. It may have been a decorative part of a bridle on a horse’s forehead.
3D Gallery of IHP──Animal-Mask Bridle Ornament with Turquoise Inlays
3D Gallery of IHP──Animal-Mask Bridle Ornament with Turquoise Inlays
Square Ding with Ox Motif
This bronze ox cauldron is the largest and heaviest bronze ever found in the archaeological excavations carried out by IHP at Anyang. It was unearthed at the northern end of the southern corridor of the Royal Tomb M1004, placed together with the bronze deer cauldron. The main motif on each of the four sides is an ox head in relief. Moreover there are standing phoenixes, dragons, birds and Kuei-dragon patterns as the side decorations on the four sides. The four legs of the square cauldron are also decorated with ox heads. A pictograph character for niu (ox) is cast on the inner bottom of the vessel.
You with Detachable Cup
Two sculptured hares are depicted at the point where the handle joins the vessel body. A frog-shaped link lies on the domed lid and joins the handle to the knob of the lid. The lid, handle and link were cast separately then joined together. The vessel can be separated into three sections: the lid, upper and lower part of the vessel body. The upper part, when put upside-down, forms a gu beaker.
Kneeling Anthropomorphic Figure with Tiger Head
This anthropomorphic figure with a tiger head, translucent and finely carved, is the finest example of marble sculpture from Anyang. With head slightly tilted upwards, mouth agape and teeth bared, the figure crouches, claw-like hands placed on its knees. The sculpture is covered with incised decorations that include dragons with bottle-horns on its arms, and vertical dragons with curved tails from its thighs to hip. Its underside is divided in two, and a vertical groove runs along its back, possibly for attaching it as an architectural ornament.
Standing Owl
This standing owl is one of the finest marble pieces found at Anyang. The owl is vividly depicted with a pointy beak, round eyes and thick arched brows and covered with various decorations. On its back a long groove runs from head to tail, and it may have been designed for use as architectural ornamentation. The owl is often represented in Shang art, with examples in bronzes and jades. The decorations on this piece are similar to those found on its bronze counterparts.
Crested Human Head
Inscribed Deer Skull
These deer skull inscriptions date to the time of Kings Diyi or Dixin. They recorded the game captured by the King at Hao on his return trip from a military expedition. Currently, only two such inscribed deer skulls have been unearthed by archeologists, and both are housed in IHP. This is one of the two pieces.
