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This custom souvenir wall plaque is a commemorative souvenir from the Yunnan Kingworld International Hotel in Kunming, China. It features a prominent bronze relief centerpiece replicating the distinctive historical styling of the ancient Dian Culture.
Artistic and Historical Origins
* Dian Kingdom Relevance: The design draws directly from the motifs of the Dian Kingdom, an advanced Bronze Age civilization that thrived around Dianchi Lake in Yunnan Province from the 4th century BCE to the 1st century BCE.
* The Symbolism of the Ox: In ancient Dian culture, cattle were highly revered symbols of extreme wealth, absolute power, and spiritual sacrifice. Oxen are the most frequently depicted animals across their unearthed historical bronzes.
* Design Composition: The design showcases a stylized arrangement of three distinct ox heads with dramatically sweeping, elongated horns stacked overlapping one another. This composition resembles artifacts found on ceremonial bronze lids and buckle plaques uncovered at the major Shizhaishan and Lijiashan archaeological sites.
The bronze-toned emblem is mounted directly onto a clean, polished wooden backing block with bevelled borders, typical of mid-to-late 20th-century VIP executive presentation gifts used by prominent Chinese establishments.
