To facilitate the computing of government taxes on grain, silk and other goods and unify calculations in civil engineering projects, in 221 BC the First Emperor of Qin decided to unify the country’s weights and measures. Inscribed on the outside surfaces of the two bronze measures shown here is a 40-character imperial edict on the unification of weights and measures issued by the First Emperor in the 26th year of his reign. They are standard weight measures of the Qin Dynasty.
Bronze Liang
Qin Dynasty
the oval one is 30.2 cm long and the rectangular one 24.3 cm