Minneapolis Institute of Art
Chariot finial with bird
China
- Date
- late 12th–11th century BCE
- Medium
- Bronze
- Department
- Asian Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
These bronze bird finials crowned the ends of chariot poles. One of the birds was cast with a pellet inside its body cavity, which creates a rattling sound when moved. What certain animals meant to the ancient Chinese remains speculative, but they all seem to have held protective and auspicious powers. China, Asia
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