The Zhanbao Brothers Memorial Archway

The Zhanbao Brothers Memorial Archway

The Zhanbao Brothers Memorial Archway is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhanbao Brothers Memorial Archway (including the Shikou Jinshi Archway)

Date: Ming Dynasty

Located on Xiamen Street, east of Xiping Town. Built in the ninth year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1496). Zhan Bao, courtesy name Tianqiu, passed the imperial examination (Jinshi) in the Bingchen year of Hongzhi (1496) and was appointed as the magistrate of Xinchang. The archway features a wood-like stone structure, with four pillars and five stories, and a hip-and-gable roof. It has a total height of 8.52 meters and a total width of 6.90 meters, carved from bluestone. It uses dougong brackets, with inscriptions such as “...” and “...”. The main beam and dragon gate beams feature relief carvings of figures, lions playing with balls, cranes, qilins, and floral patterns, all vivid and exquisitely crafted. The beam also includes six lifelike stone lions with distinct expressions. The lintels, dragon gate beams, and horizontal beams are adorned with intricate relief carvings including figures, lions playing with balls, cranes, qilins, and flowers.

The archway was built in the ninth year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1496) to honor Bao Jie, who passed the local imperial examination (Xiang Jinshi) in the Yimao year of Hongzhi. It has a wood-like bluestone structure, with four pillars, three bays, and five stories. The total width is 6.20 meters, with the central bay at 3.32 meters and the side bays at 1.44 meters, and a total height of 8.28 meters. The stone pillars are chamfered square columns, with the central bay pillars at 5 meters high and the side bays at 4 meters. The central beam is inscribed with “Yimao Year Xiang Jinshi Bao Jie,” while the main ridge plaque reads “Shixian” (Illustrious Lineage). The beams of the central and side bays are intricately carved with various animals and floral designs, rich in content and finely executed. Each story is supported by dougong brackets, featuring a flush gable roof with gentle pitch, constructed from two joined stones that replicate roof tiles, ridges, drip tiles, and coin-patterned drip tiles. The ridge ends are adorned with dragon ornaments, and a sacred gourd sits at the center. The stone bases of the pillars are carved with scrolling vine patterns in smooth lines.

The Shikou Jinshi Archway features a rational structure, elegant form, exquisite stonework, and rich carving content. It serves as important material evidence for studying the evolution of Chinese memorial archway architecture and the architectural characteristics of Ming Dynasty archways, possessing significant historical, scientific, and artistic value.

On October 7, 2019, the Zhanbao Brothers Memorial Archway was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Source: Zhejiang Cultural Relics Website

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units