The twelve zodiac bronze statues of the Old Summer Palace were originally designed with “animal heads and human bodies,” featuring copper heads and stone torsos, seated in a dignified posture and clad in ceremonial robes. The restoration this time drew upon historical records, including the copperplate engravings in “Map of Changchun Garden in the Old Summer Palace,” to reconstruct the statues’ complete forms. The bronze sculptures were commissioned by Italian missionary Giuseppe Castiglione and overseen by French engineer Jean-Baptiste de Villiers; they were once integral components of the “Hydraulic Clock” fountain in the Hall of Eternal Spring, with each zodiac animal spraying water at the designated hour to mark the time. The animal heads were rendered in a highly realistic style, with intricate details such as folds and fine fur meticulously sculpted; the bronze was refined red copper sourced from the Qing court, renowned for its enduring resistance to corrosion over the centuries. The torso designs were inspired by the ceremonial robes and regal postures characteristic of Qing Dynasty court sculpture.