Bronze Chariots in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

Bronze Chariot in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is the general designation of two large-sized color-painted bronze chariot unearthed from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in 1980. They are respectively named carriage No.1 and No.2 in line with the sequence they were excavated.
 
Being a half as large as the concrete objects, the two bronze chariots are a recurrence of the glamour of the First Qin Emperor's carriage. Also called "gaoche" (high chariot) or "liche" (vertical chariot), No.1 bronze chariot was used in war in ancient times, with a bronze-cast driver standing in the carriage. No.2 bronze chariot, also named "anche" (chariot with a seated driver), was used to ride. It has two windows respectively embedded at both sides of the carriage and a bronze-cast driver seating in the front part of the chariot. There are four horses fitted in front of each chariot.With bronze as the body and gold and silver ornaments decorated on parts of the components, the two chariots are of integral structure and magnificence. All components were separately cast and assembled together by applying various connecting techniques. They are still flexible nowadays due to high technical level at that time. The whole body of the bronze chariots is painted with mineral pigments such as vermilion, emerald green, turquoise blue, pink, etc., all retaining bright color and luster despite of staying underground for over 2000 years. The eight horses are white and of extremely precise proportion, with saturated flesh and figure as well as diversified expressions, while the drivers in the chariots are featured by vivid single-minded bearing and extremely exquisite trappings.Bronze chariots in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor enjoy the fame of "Top Bronze Ware" made in ancient China and represent high artistic and technical level of the Qin Dynasty. As a breakthrough in the fabrication of bronze ware, colored drawing on the ware provides not only aesthetic value, but also protective functions. The bronze chariots are of crucial value in the research of related history, for the era in which they were made is the earliest so far and also, they have the largest figures and are most completely preserved.