Minneapolis Institute of Art

Hairpin in the form of a bird

China

Date

13th-12th century BCE

Medium

Carved animal bone

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The two tiger amulets, bird hairpin and finial decorated with a composite serpent human motif although exceptionally rare, are products of a major Shang dynasty industry: bone carving. The stylized animals and conventional motifs found on bronze vessels are also encountered in carved bone suggesting similar emblematic purposes. All of these items were likely personal adornments rather than ceremonial objects. China, Asia

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