The Massive Bronze Sacred Tree, also known as the No. 1 Sacred Tree, is one of the most iconic treasures at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province.
Though incomplete at the top, the restored tree still stands at an impressive 396 centimeters tall, making it the largest single bronze artifact ever discovered in the world.
The base of the tree resembles three interconnected mountain peaks. From this foundation rises the trunk with three tiers of branches. Nine birds perch along the branches, while a dragon stretches down one side of the trunk, poised to take flight.
The partly restored No. 3 Sacred Tree, however, looks very different. Its branches are twisted and its main trunk is only about 1 centimeter in diameter.
For many other bronze trees, only some sections have survived, such as the bases or branch-top birds, with the rest lost to time. Yet the intricate details of these remains still showcase the remarkable craftsmanship of ancient artisans.
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