Inscribed bronze ritual vessels and other bronze artefacts have been unearthed in China over a period of nearly nine centuries. They have been important to the study of pre-Han history and culture, as well as the general history of technology in China. This survey covers a group of 28 inscribed bronze ritual vessels and bells making up the Liang Ch'i series, and focuses on technical and palaeographic issues. Each object is analysed both for historical value as a form of written document and as an artefact whose detailed study may provide a better understanding of the technological achievements of the period. A noteworthy transcription procedure and systematic tabulation of repeated passages have resulted in clarification of characters and phrases that have long been of uncertain significance, and rectify misinterpretations that have appeared in the past. In addition, valuable data derived from radiography and laboratory examination has led towards a better understanding of the various casting features. Noel Barnard, now retired, has been associated with the Department of Far Eastern History of the Australian National University since 1952. Cheung Kwong-yue is senior lecturer in Chinese history and literature at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.