MYTHICAL CREATURE
Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC Gold H. 4 3/4 in. (12 cm); L. 4 3/8 in. (11cm) Unearthed in 1957 at Nalingaotu in Shenmu County Shaanxi History Museum
This gold figure is cast
in the rounded form of a deer-like figure in openwork design.
It has a huge hooked beak and extraordinary antlers outstretched
in an arc to reveal abstract beast motifs. Decorated entirely
with cloud patterns in low relief, the deer stands on a four-petal
support; along its rim are twelve tiny holes. These distinguishing
characteristics suggest that it would have been an ornament for
a ceremonial headdress, perhaps used as a deity that predicted and
directed the grazing, hunting, and prosperity of the Xiongnu people.
HANDLE IN THE SHAPE OF A TURTLEDOVE
Warring States period, ca. 3rd century BC
Bronze with gold and silver inlay
H. 1 1/4 in. (3 cm.); L. 3 in. (7.8 cm.)
Excavated in Xi’an
Xi’an Institutue of Cultural relics and Archaeology
This bronze pommel is
cast in the form of a turtledove, who head turns back to its long,
curved tail. It has large, rounded eyes and a shaply hooked
beak indicating strength. Its surface is decorated with
linear scrolls and stylized motifs inlaid with gold and silver.
The base of the body is oval, with a hole on each side. This
ornament was probably made to decorate the top of a cane.
From ealy literary accounts,
we know that the turtledove had symbolic meaning in ancient China.
The turtledove is described in an ancient text as a divine being
that could not choke while eating. Because of this symbolic
meaning, the Qin state would have be-stowed canes decorated with
turtledove pommels on senior residents to wish them good health.
