Sacrificial Tin Items

In the early Ming dynasty, the imperial court ruled that the burial practices for princes must conform to the standards set by the burial of General Chang Yuchun in the second year of the Hongwu Emperor (1369). The burial goods to be sealed in the tomb included weapons, household items, figurines, and kitchenware. The household items were made of tin to show thrift. This system of standards gradually coalesced after the time of the Hongwu Emperor.

According to this custom, the tomb of Prince Zhuang contains tin ritual items, such as pots, cups, trays, jars, and lampstands. These simple items stand in stark contrast to the sumptuous gold, jade, and porcelain objects.