Bronze chariots and horses in Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

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Bronze chariots and horses in Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor are all funerary objects. A total of two chariots were unearthed, i.e., “An Che” and “Li Che”. They are arranged in the front and rear, with similar shape and painting. Each of them has the one-second size of the real chariot. “An Che” completely simulates the real structure of special carriage for the First Qin Emperor. Chariots and horses see painted pattern with dominative dragon and phoenix pattern and cloud pattern. An imperial offifi cer fifi gurine sits before the chariot for driving, and its head and clothes are painted. The whole craftwork features realistic modeling, accurate proportion, complex craft and ornate decoration, which represents the highest manufacturing level of the ancient Chinese bronzeware. It is praised as “Champion of Bronzeware”.

The compartment door plate of bronze chariot is painted with a group of beautiful deformed dragon and phoenix pattern. Patterns are kept intact with fresh colors such as white, red, green, blue, brown and black colors. Each kind of color has different shade. The pigment is made of resin so that the color of “An Che” is richer so as to fully demonstrate noble and luxurious style of imperial chariot.

The frontoparietal middle of “Can Horse” is cast with semispherical copper base. 16 small gold bubbles are inlaid around, on which a copper rod stands with height of about 20 centimeters. This is the sign of imperial chariot.

The owner of bronze chariots and horses

The owner of bronze chariots and horses is the First Qin Emperor. He was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (the first feudal empire in Chinese history). He unififi ed China, made great achievements, and claimed to “the fifi rst emperor” (“emperor” was originated by him). But he was also very cruel so that common people of the Qin Dynasty suffered from his oppression. After the death of the First Qin Emperor, he was buried in Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.

How many parts are there in bronze chariots and horses in Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor?

Bronze chariots and horses in Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor have a total of more than 3,400 parts. Large parts are 4 mm thick, and small parts are only 1 mm thick, which are firstly cast and molded and then assembled together by means of various techniques. Flexible components after assembly can also move freely up to now. For example, two wheels can rotate, door and window can flexibly open and close, and even the horse bridle cable can be free for traction. How extremely delicate this masterpiece is!