传世和近年发现的大量青铜器表明，青铜器自身有着一个完整的发展演变系统。自夏、商、周至秦、汉整个青铜器发展史，大约可以分为十三期：即夏为二里头文化期，商、西周、春秋各为早、中、晚三期，战国分作早期和中、晚二期。秦、汉为青铜器发展史的余辉。

A large number of bronzes that have been introduced and discovered in recent years show that the bronze itself has a complete system of development and evolution. Since Xia and Shang, Zhou Zhiqin, the history of the development of Chinese bronze ware, can roughly be divided into thirteen phases: the period of Erlitou culture is Xia, Shang and Western Zhou Dynasty, spring and autumn for the early, middle and late three, the Warring States period into early and middle and late two. Qin and Han were the afterglow of the history of the bronze ware development.

青铜艺术是我国古代文化遗产中的一个主要部分，它与历史、冶金、文字、造型美术有着相当密切的联系。商、周青铜器历来在国际上享有极高的荣誉。

Bronze art is a major part of the ancient cultural heritage of our country. It is closely related to history, metallurgy, writing and plastic arts. Shang and Zhou bronzes have always enjoyed high reputation in the world.

青铜是红铜和锡的合金，据史籍记载、商、周两代是青铜器制作的黄金时期。中国最早的青铜器诞生于公元前3000多年的甘肃省马家窑，马厂文化遗址曾出土那时期制作的铜刀。商、周时期，我国的冶金技术水平进步很快，青铜器制作进入顶峰阶段。这时期出品的青铜器，是世界青铜文化中最典型，最丰富的代表。

Bronze is a copper and tin alloy, according to historical records, the Shang and Zhou two dynasties is the golden period of the bronze making. Majiayao in Gansu province Chinese the earliest bronze was born about 3000 years ago, Ma Han cultural relics have been unearthed bronze sword in that period made. In the period of Shang and Zhou dynasties, the level of metallurgical technology in China was progressing rapidly, and the production of bronze ware entered the peak stage. The bronze ware produced during this period is the most typical and most abundant representative of the bronze culture in the world.

早期的青铜器种类很多，用途广泛，主要种类有兵器、炊器、酒器、食器、水器、乐器、铜镜、车马饰、带钩、度量器、动物造型等。西周社会还对青铜器使用制定严格的等级。以礼器来说，就有“天子九鼎，诸侯七，大夫五，元士三”的规定。许多贵族视青铜器为身份的象征，除身前大量享用，死后也把大量的青铜器随葬。《吕氏春秋·节丧》曾记载：“国弥大，家弥富，葬弥厚，含珠鳞施。夫玩好、货宝、钟、鼎、壶、舆、衣、被、戈、剑，不可胜其数，诸养生之具无不从者。”

Many early Bronze species widely used, mainly types of weapons, cooking equipment, wine, food, water, musical instruments, bronze mirrors, chariot ornaments, hook, measurer, animal model. The Western Zhou society also made a strict grade for the use of bronzes. The ritual, there is "emperor Jiuding, seven princes, five doctor, yuanshis three". As a symbol of many noble bronze for the identity of the body, in addition to amount to enjoy, after death also put a lot of bronze objects. "Lu spring and Autumn Festival and funeral" was recorded: "kuniya, home MiFu, MI buried thick, containing pearl scale application. Husband, play good things, bell, Ding, kettle, carriage, clothes, quilt, spear, sword, then the number, the health of all the."