Discussion on manufacturing techniques of Chen Zhang Pot

The Chen Zhang Pot, made in the late Warring States period is an openwork bronze pot with gold and silver inlay. It was identified as a first-class historical relic of the nation by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage in 2001. To explore its manufacturing techniques, XRF, CT and X-Ray photograph microscopic observation were adopted for the non-destructive examination of the Chen Zhang Pot. The analysis data show that many parts of the Chen Zhang Pot were cast separately, and then assembled. It also shows that the composition proportion of each part of the Chen Zhang Pot is different; and the bronze color, hardness and tensile strength are different for each alloy proportion. A variety of decoration techniques were adopted in the manufacturing process, which make the color more diverse and gorgeous. The openwork decoration is the most complex part of the pot, and the gold and silver decoration technique also represents the high level manufacturing technology in the Warring States period. In summary, the Chen Zhang Pot is a unique art treasure, and as a specimen it allows us to study the bronze casting technology in the Warring States period.