Base plate (plastron) of a real turtle shell, size approx. 18.5 cm. The carved inscription is a replica of an oracle from prehistoric times. Amazingly, I was able to buy the object at the hotel reception in Beijing (1997). For more in-depth information, there is an excellent illustrated book, see "Oracle - A look into the future", Museum Rietberg Zurich (1999). Oracle bones from China are described in detail there. The materials used are shoulder blades from cattle and belly shells from female turtles (as these are smoother than those of males). Consulting the turtle oracle played an important role in the Shang Dynasty (approx. 1240 - 1040 BCE), among other things. The kings asked the oracle questions about almost all aspects of life. This ranged from the weather to military campaigns and human sacrifices. The court diviners carried out the divination (e.g. formulating the question, creating cracks in the shell with heat and carving the inscriptions). The actual prediction was usually made by the ruler. In Henan Province, thousands of turtle shells with carved oracle inscriptions were found, which essentially indicated success, failure or neutrality. Of course, the trip also included a visit to Xian (with the famous Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, around 210 BC). [hint: this is an automatic translation from German]   |   Category: Kultgegenstände   |   Material: Schildpatt Präparate   |   Country of origin: Beijing, China | Similar pieces