It is inscribed with a text that has been described as "the first conscious attempt in China to write history".

[1][2][a] It is regarded as one of China's national treasures, and was listed in 2002 as one of sixty-four cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad.

Some time later it was buried along with over 100 other vessels belonging to the family, and only unearthed in 1976, in Fufeng County, Baoji, Shaanxi.

[6][7] The content praises the previous and current rulers of the Zhou dynasty, extolling their virtues and deeds, and then recounts the history of the family of the caster, culminating with Scribe Qiang himself.

[9] The ritualistic intent of the inscription is demonstrated by positive spin on historical fact: the inscription claims King Zhao "tamed Chu and Jing", while in reality the campaign was defeated and the king killed, within living memory of the casting of the vessel.