There were already "showers" in the Chu State, and "steamers" were used in the Han Dynasty

As the saying goes, Qin and Tang cultures look at Xi'an, and Han cultures look at Xuzhou. Yesterday, the "Han Dynasty Relics-Xuzhou Han Dynasty Cultural Relics Exhibition" was held at the Jiangning Museum. The exhibition will last until November 20. Interested citizens can visit the exhibition for free.

This exhibition is full of Xuzhou Museum's "box-pressing" treasures. The "National Treasure" painted pottery figurines and a group of bronze tripods are all exhibited for the first time. Previously, even the Xuzhou Museum had not exhibited them.

The Chu kings have already taken a shower

After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, Xuzhou became the "Chu State". The exhibits this time are precious cultural relics unearthed in the tombs of the King of Chu for several generations. The Western Han Dynasty emphasized thick burials, and these "treasures" also restored the life of the Chu kings during their lifetime. As soon as I entered the exhibition hall, I saw a bronze flat pot. The staff said: "It is specially used for princes and princesses, and is equivalent to a modern shower head. Put water in a pot and turn it upside down in one place, or let two people pour water from the top of the person in the shower."

Bronze model of making money

In the exhibition hall, a five-baht-coin bronze model (pictured above) aroused everyone's curiosity. What is this money fan for? It is a mold for making money. When the two pieces are put together, the copper coins of that time can be made. "In ancient times, after money was made, the mold had to be destroyed immediately. Therefore, there are many clay models and few bronze models." Xu Changsheng, director of Jiangning Museum, said.

Han Dynasty "steamer", 20 kilograms and 8 taels

According to records in the Han Dynasty, the cookware of the State of Chu at that time was greatly improved, and copper pots were used to cook rice. What is the copper cauldron retort like? There is a copper kettle steamer in the exhibition hall (pictured above), weighing 20 kilograms and 8 taels. How to use this "big guy"? Xu Changsheng said that the round belly contains water and the bell mouth above contains rice and the like, which is equivalent to a modern steamer.

There is also a large copper helmet in the exhibition hall, which looks like a frying pan, but is much larger. "This is the big pot used by the royal family at that time to cook vegetables."

Not far away, there is a row of bronze tripods. There are a total of 8 bronze tripods, arranged neatly, large and small. This group of bronze tripods was unveiled for the first time. They are specially used for cooking meat.