Decorative garment plaque in the shape of two horses with crests on their heads

Chinese Collection

Accession Nr.: 3518
Type: bronze, lead, gold and silver; metalwork; accessory
Date of production:
1st–3rd centuries AD
Han dynasty
Place of production:
Materials: bronze
Dimensions: height: 4.4 cm
length: 6.1 cm
Depictions of horses appear in many forms in Northern China and the adjacent territories. In this garment plaque, a small foal has been depicted standing on the back of a larger horse. The heads of both animals are decorated with a crest, an unusual headpiece, and their manes are finely outlined.