青铜容器在古代常常被用作礼器
青铜容器在古代常常被用作礼器。商周社会以严格反映等级制度的规章仪式,即所谓"礼"来维护政治、经济权力,而祭祀则是沟通人、神,使人间秩序神圣化的中心环节。青铜器在祭器中占据了很大份额,是贵族宗室内部族长和作为天下"共主"的天子主持祭祀必备的礼器。此外,青铜器的制作和赠与也与商、周时代贵族间婚媾、宴享、朝拜、会盟和铭功颂德等礼制活动紧密相关。
Bronze vessels were often used as ritual vessels in ancient times. In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the so-called "Rites" were used to maintain the political and economic power, which strictly reflected the hierarchical system of rules and rituals. Bronze wares occupy a large share in the sacrificial vessels, which are the necessary sacrificial vessels for the head of aristocratic clan and the emperor, who is the world's "co owner". In addition, the production and gift of bronze ware are closely related to the ritual activities such as marriage, banquet, worship, alliance, inscription, tribute and morality among nobles in the Shang and Zhou dynasties.