Definition
金文 refers to ancient Chinese inscriptions cast or carved on bronze vessels and ritual objects, primarily from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. These inscriptions are a major source for studying early Chinese writing, history, and culture — distinct from oracle bone script (甲骨文) and later seal script (篆书). You'll encounter this term in archaeology, paleography, and art history contexts.
n.
bronze inscriptions (ancient Chinese writing on ritual bronze vessels)
Examples
- 金文。Zhè jiàn qīngtóngqì shàng de jīn wén bǎocún de hěn wánzhěng.The bronze inscriptions on this vessel are very well preserved.
- 金文。Yánjiū jīn wén duì liǎojiě Zhōudài lìshǐ fēicháng zhòngyào.Studying bronze inscriptions is very important for understanding Zhou dynasty history.
- 金文。Bówùguǎn zhǎnchū le dàliàng dài yǒu jīn wén de qīngtóngqì.The museum exhibited a large number of bronze vessels with inscriptions.
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