King of Chu’s plate

[King of Chu’s [0558] pan

King of Chu’s [0558] pan, in the late Warring States period, was 7.9 cm high, 38.5 cm in diameter and 3.08 kg in weight
This plate has flat lips and shallow abdomen, and convex bottom without feet. The whole body is light and plain without decoration. There is one line of inscription on the mouth and abdomen, 20 characters on the mouth, and 9 characters on the outside of the abdomen:
The king of Chu won bronze in the battle of [0558]. On the auspicious day of the first month, a small plate was cast in the room for the year to taste
The smelter Shao [0559] assisted Chen Gongzhi
The main idea of the inscription is that the king of Chu [0558] captured a large number of copper weapons in the war. On an auspicious day in the first month of the lunar month, the copper weapons were melted and cast into this frying pan for the annual tasting ceremony. This plate was made by the smelter Shao [0559] with the help of Chen Gong.

楚王酓『0558』盘铭文拓片楚王酓『0558』盘铭文拓片