Modern bronze acupuncture model, or tong ren.
Bronze.
China.
h. 47 cm (18,5 in).
This acupuncture bronze model, or tong ren, represents an interesting synthesis of art and medical science, rooted in a tradition of acupuncture education dating back to the Song Dynasty in 11th-century China. Far more than a decorative sculpture, it serves as a standardized three-dimensional textbook, meticulously mapping the meridians and acupoints through which Qi is believed to flow.
This specific figure is a Modern iteration of the classical medical model, produced via sand casting with a sand core. Cast in a heavy bronze alloy, the sculpture features a dark, oxidized patina that accentuates the intricate network of 361 primary acupuncture points and 14 major meridians (Jingluo) integrated directly into the metal. The anatomy is presented in a rigid, formalized "anatomical position" to ensure an unobstructed view of the pathways and the Chinese characters identifying each site. It functions as a precise cartographic instrument, codifying the body as a "microcosm" of universal forces and providing a tangible, durable reference for the complex topography of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
