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Bronze treasures

Bronze items were made to symbolize sovereignty and order through centuries. An exhibition, Chinese Ancient Bronzeware, at Hunan Museum, shows more than 280 bronze objects of various shapes and for different purposes. It traces the rise of the "bronze age "when the production, use and ownership of bronze was an indication of rigid hierarchy in the Shang (c.16th century-11th century BC) and Zhou (c.11th century-771 BC) dynasties. Many exhibits are from the collection of the National Museum of China, including the yue ax that was once used as a weapon and torture device. It has become popular today, because of the openwork carving depicting a human face, with two big round eyes and a widely opened mouth seemingly laughing. The exhibition runs until May 18.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 50 Dongfeng Road, Changsha, Hunan province. 0731-8441-5833.