Bronze Chariot and Horses 3

📌 Overview

• Type: Framed Chinese bronze relief art
• Components: Set of 3 framed panels
  • 2 depicting chariots and horses
  • 1 featuring a traditional Chinese junk boat at sea
• Materials: Gilded or bronze-finished metal relief over red velvet or textile background
• Display: Mounted in lacquered wooden folding frames with gold accent trim and stored in fitted red presentation boxes with yellow silk interior
• Origin: Likely Chinese manufacture, export art for decorative/souvenir use
• Date: Likely 1980s–1990s, possibly late Cultural Revolution/post-Mao souvenir period

🔍 Stylistic & Historical Notes

1. Chariot & Horses Reliefs
   • Inspired by the famous Terracotta Army’s bronze chariots from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (3rd century BCE)
   • Often produced as tourist keepsakes or official gifts from Chinese cultural bureaus
   • Stylized for modern framing with symmetry and gold-tone highlights
   • Chinese characters on one side translate to Bronze Carriage & Horses (铜车马)
2. Chinese Junk Scene
   • Typical representation of a Fujian-style merchant ship or tribute vessel
   • Scene includes stylized waves, birds, sun/moon, and auspicious characters
   • The inscription in Chinese on the sail reads: 一帆风顺 (yī fān fēng shùn), a blessing meaning “May you have smooth sailing” or “May everything go smoothly”
   • These types of plaques are frequently given as good luck gifts for business openings, retirement, or overseas travel

📦 Construction & Materials

• Reliefs appear to be cast and gilded metal (bronze-tone), possibly a mix of zinc alloy or resin-metal compositewith electroplated gold finish
• Frames are wood or composite lacquered panels with gold-painted trim
• Textile inlay is red velvet or synthetic silk
• Packaging suggests commercial souvenir or commemorative production

📈 Estimated Market Value (2025)

Condition

Estimated Retail/Collector Value (Per Set)

Excellent, with original boxes and no frame damage

$75 – $125 USD

Moderate wear or missing box

$40 – $70

Wholesale/gift shop replacement value

$30 – $50 per plaque

Market Notes:

• Often sold in Chinatown shops, Chinese cultural centers, or online export platforms
• Common among collectors of Chinese modern souvenirs, but not museum-grade antiques
• Appreciated for symbolic value, especially as feng shui gifts

🧾 Authentication & Recommendations

• These appear to be authentic modern decorative items, not antique bronze pieces
• The quality is consistent with mid- to late-20th-century Chinese export giftware
• Likely factory-made, possibly in Guangdong or Beijing
• No formal appraisal needed unless part of a larger collection or you suspect rare maker marks hidden on the reverse

✅ Summary

You own a well-preserved set of vintage Chinese relief panels, reflecting traditional themes of prosperity, strength, and good fortune. These items carry decorative and cultural value, particularly as gifts or symbolic pieces, and represent the popular style of late 20th-century Chinese craftsmanship for domestic and tourist markets.