J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York
MenuPast Exhibition
Bronze and Gold in Ancient China
March 24 - April 12, 2003
13.
A GOLD-INLAID BRONZE FERRULE
Warring States Period, 4th/3rd Century B.C.
an ornamental fitting for the end of a shaft, the socketed upper part of pear-shaped cross-section and the lower part of tapered form and hexagonal cross-section, with a raised band joining the upper and lower part cast in the form of a highly abstracted bird, ending in large and small hooked scroll motifs at opposite sides, the entire fitting elaborately inlaid in gold on every side, decorated with cut-out and wire-inlaid scroll motifs on the upper part and on the raised bands, the lower part inlaid with a symmetrical pattern of gold strapwork interwoven with gold wire volutes and scroll motifs, the hoof-shaped foot decorated with gold bands and a cut-out zig-zag line, the bronze ground with attractive dark reddish-brown patina, the interior with remains of a wooden shaft and the upper section pierced on two sides for attachment.
Length 5 1⁄8 inches (13 cm)
This fitting served to ornament the butt-end of the wooden shaft of a bronze halberd (ge) or spear.
Two very elaborately inlaid examples of this type of bronze ferrule are illustrated in the inaugural exhibition catalogue of the Miho Museum - South Wing, Shigaraki, 1997, pp. 199-200, nos. 96 and 97, with a lengthy caption by So, wherein the author states that during the latter half of the Warring States period, "articles of war, whether functional or ceremonial, became important status and power symbols for the military and ruling elite... The elaborate inlays on these fittings are meant to reflect the prestige of their owners."
See also Ancient Chinese Weapons - A Collection of Pictures, Beijing, 1990, for a line drawing of a Warring States period bronze halberd (ge) and ferrule shown complete with long wooden shaft, based on an example excavated in Changsha, Hunan on p. 71, fig. 4-12 and a series of six bronze and inlaid bronze ferrules, all excavated from different Warring States tombs; illustrated in line drawings on p. 72, fig. 4-18, including two with relief decoration of a bird at the center and one with a highly abstracted bird-motif very similar to the present example.
13.
A GOLD-INLAID BRONZE FERRULE
Warring States Period, 4th/3rd Century B.C.
Length 5 1⁄8 inches (13 cm)