The Qin bronze chariot (銅車馬or秦銅車馬) refers to a set of two Qin dynasty bronze model chariots that were unearthed in 1980 at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (reigned 247–220 BCE).[1] When the models were found they were in many broken pieces, and it took five years to restore them both.[2] Both models are about half life-size.
The first piece, "bronze chariot number one" (一號銅車馬), consists of an open chariot drawn by four bronze horses, with a single standing driver and a bronze umbrella on a stand placed next to him.
The second piece, "bronze chariot number two" (二號銅車馬), is a closed carriage with two seats and an umbrella-like roof, which is also drawn by four bronze horses.
The chariots are stored at the Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇兵馬俑博物館) in Shaanxi.[3][1] In 2010 the piece was showcased at the Shanghai Expo as an exhibit inside the China Pavilion building.[4]
The chariots are one of sixty-four designated historical artifacts that are prohibited from being exhibited outside China.[1]
History
