Visitors appreciate the famous bronze ware he zun (ritual wine vessel) which bears the earliest record of the word zhongguo (China) from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) at the exhibition, Beijing, Aug 14. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A total of 143 pieces of bronze ware from Shaanxi province went on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing on Aug 14. 

The showpieces were mainly from Baoji, renowned as the "home of bronze ware" in the province, and span the major periods of China's Bronze Age, which includes the Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han dynasties (c.16th century BC-AD 220).

The exhibition, which will last until Oct 13, also highlights some essential bronze inscriptions.