Arkivism
Finial
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Finial

475–221 BCE · bronze inlaid with gold and silver

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Chariots and weapons were associated with hunting and warfare in the ancient world. Those bronze fittings with lavish inlaid decoration were status symbols of rulers and high-ranking officials. This finial combines extravagance and ferocious beauty to reveal the aesthetics of the time. The birds with hooked beaks are above the intertwined serpent-dragons. Such artistic conception emphasizes the power of the bird in combat. Every facet of this finial is exquisitely crafted to give full play to the inlaid decoration.

Cleveland Museum of Art’s own description
Credit lineFinial, 475–221 BCE. China, Henan province, Jincun, Warring States period (475–221 BCE). Bronze inlaid with gold and silver; overall: 13.1 cm (5 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1930.730
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