Yandu Bronze Sculptures: Stories Woven into the Artisans’ Craft

In Yi County, Hebei, Yandu Ancient City is adept at crafting beauty in solid forms. Its best-known attractions are the intricately designed ancient buildings, every tile and pillar imbued with the weight and lingering charm of history. A leisurely stroll through its streets lets you soak up an atmosphere of serene elegance, effortlessly created by the quiet surroundings.

While stunning landscapes spring from nature’s masterful hand, a charming small town like this is born of human culture and artisanal dedication.

In Yandu Ancient City, architecture is not the only masterpiece crafted by artisans—the bronze sculptures standing at street corners and alleyways are another vivid expression of art and history.

Along Yanwang Avenue, there is a sculpture of a scholar-official driving a carriage, with the inscription “Civil Official Outing” on the side. This traces back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, when horses were rare and precious. Only high-ranking, talented scholar-officials (civil officials) could enjoy such esteemed treatment. Su Qin, a famous political strategist, diplomat, and advisor of the Warring States era, was a senior civil official at the time, entitled to ride in such an “official carriage.”

If the civil official’s outing seems somewhat obscure to many, the tale of “Lying on Ice to Fetch Carp” is an instantly recognizable virtue.

This sculpture stands on the main street, Yizhou Road, at a crossroads intersection where it can be easily seen. Up close, the gilded bronze figure lies on its side, executed with such high skill it looks almost alive—you can almost see the soft clothing piled on the icy surface and the resolute expression of the filial son braving the cold to bring fresh fish to his ailing parent.

Yandu Ancient City has a landmark building called Babai Tower, inspired by the Chinese idiom “sworn brotherhood” (babai zhi jiao), which refers to the deepest bonds of friendship.

One form of sworn brotherhood is “friendship unto death,” derived from the story of Zuo Botao and Yang Jiao’ai. While journeying to seek an audience with King Yuan of Chu, Liu Jiao, the two friends demonstrated profound loyalty to each other. Later generations use this to symbolize deep friendship.

The statue of this undying friendship stands in front of Babai Tower. Its simple yet meticulous carving gives silent form to volumes of unspoken words.

Filial piety, righteousness, loyalty, and kindness—the sculptures throughout Yandu Ancient City are all dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese virtues. Their original purpose is to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of this land and pass it on to a wider audience, so that every visitor can, in their leisurely moments, gain a small piece of knowledge.