Image: CMOC Treasures of Ancient China exhibit - bronze cowrie container

Description: Bronze Cowrie Container Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 8) Excavated at Jinning, Yunan Province, 1956 National Museum of China, Beijing Cowrie shells were used as currency in ancient China. This container, found in a tomb, features two tigers and seven oxen; cattle and buffalo are symbols of wealth and influence in an agricultural society. The container was made by the Dian people of Yunnan, and suggests that exchange between bronze cultures of the Central Plain and Southwest China were occurring at this time.
Title: CMOC Treasures of Ancient China exhibit - bronze cowrie container
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