Quiver plaque with animal-figure decoration

Chinese Collection

Accession Nr.: 5018
Type: metalwork
Date of production:
Kr. e. 6–5. század
Easter Zhou dynasty
Place of production:
Acquisition: bequest of Zoltán Felvinczi Takács
Materials: bronze
Dimensions: width: 2.3 cm
length: 4.6 cm
Nomadic hunters carried two quivers suspended from their belts. Huge quantities of these plaques were produced, and in many collection descriptions they are referred to as belt plaques. The function of this finish, which imitates silver plating, was to indicate the individual’s rank: the wearer belonged to a higher rank than an individual whose plaques were made simply from bronze.