Art Institute of Chicago

Tubular Fitting

China

Date

Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th/3rd century B.C.

Medium

Bronze inlaid with gold and silver

Culture

China

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Sumptuously inlaid bronze tubes were designed as fittings for weapons, scepters, and chariots. This bottle-shaped fitting may have formed part of the axel cap for the wheel of a ceremonial chariot. In its remarkable fluency, the inlaid design of volutes and spirals was largely inspired by contemporary lacquer painting.

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