Eastern Zhou Dynasty Expertly pierced as two large coiling chilong with bifurcated tails, numerous smaller chilong intertwined around the larger animals with round eyes and pricked ears, stand. 10.5cm (4 1/8in) wide. (2).
東周 雙龍銅牌飾
Provenance: Ariadne Galleries, New York and London A distinguished American private collection, acquired from the above 20 May 2017
Published and Illustrated: T.Pang, Treasures of the Eurasian Steppes: Animal Art from 800 BC to 200 AD, New York, 1998, p.167, no.187
著錄： Tina Pang, 《Treasures of the Eurasian Steppes: Animal Art from 800 BC to 200 AD》，紐約，1998年，第167頁，編號187
The theme of animals in combat, often depicted in contorted and abstracted forms, is a recurring motif in the artistic traditions of the nomadic steppe peoples. Equally prevalent is the contrast between naturalistic and fantastical imagery, as seen here. The dynamic interaction of hybrid creatures—blending real and mythical beasts—elevates the composition beyond the ordinary, evoking a sense of the supernatural and perhaps hinting at religious or magical associations. Scenes of animal predation, in particular, were a favoured subject in the iconography of the pastoral communities along China's north-western frontiers. See a similar bronze plaque, unearthed in Hechuan shangtai cun (何川上台村), Guyuan (固原), Ningxia Province, illustrated by Luo Feng and Han Kongle, 'Ningxia Guyuan jinnian faxian de beifangxi qingtong qi' (寧夏固原近年發現的北方系青銅器), Kaogu, 1990(05), p.413, fig.12:5.
See two related archaic bronze belt buckles, Eastern Zhou dynasty, which were sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 24 November 2013, lot 588.
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