Yichang Museum releases new ice cream bar

By Chen Qi, Yichang International Communication Studio

Yichang Museum has a collection of 35,615 items, as last counted at the end of 2019, including 1,623 precious cultural relics. The vast majority are unearthed relics from archaeological excavations, mainly consisting of various bronze wares.
 

The cultural relics collection of the museum, which is located in Wujiaqiang District, includes stone tools, ceramics, bronze wares, iron wares, lacquered wooden wares, gold and silver wares, jade wares, coins, calligraphy and paintings. In December 2020, Yichang Museum was certified as a National First-Class Museum.

The centerpiece of the Yichang Museum's collection is the Chuji Bronze Chime, produced in the Western Zhou period (1046-711BC) of ancient China. It is a national-level cultural relic and the first bronze artifact with a clear inscription discovered in the southern regions of China. It provides new archaeological evidence for the study of Chu culture. The body of the chime bears a 17-character inscription that reads: "Chu Ji Bao Zhong, Xiong Sun Na Xian Yu Gong, Gong Qi Wan Nian Shou Xiong Fu.” The inscription tells us that Chuji’s grandson presented the precious bell to his grandfather - the Lord of Chu, wishing him happiness and wellness for 10,000 years.

The tradition of respecting and cherishing chimes is closely associated with the Chu culture. As the State of Chu prospered, Chu chimes became a witness to the integration of ritual culture and Chu culture.

Yichang Museum designed a new ice cream bar based on the Chuji Bronze Chime in two different flavors: bronze (matcha flavor) and archaeological (chocolate flavor).