PlaquesEast Asian6th-5th century BCE

Openwork Plaque: Felines and Prey

600-400 BCE

Description

Rectangular openwork attachment plaque with two felines, perhaps panthers, stylized in S-shape and coiled up around their prey, a deer or fawn, of which only the head is visible, facing down between the feline's head and back. The two groups are arranged back to back, with one feline upside down. The back of the plaque is concave, with no means of attachment; presumably, the plaque was affixed to a surface, such as a belt or a garment, with the help of the holes in the openwork relief. Plaques of this type have been associated with the non-Chinese Shanrong, who lived in the region now encompassed by the northern Hebei and western Liaoning provinces in northeastern China. Thin brown patina on front, grayish green on back.

Classification

Plaques

Technique

Cast

Medium

Leaded bronze

Culture

East Asian

Period

Zhou dynasty, Eastern Zhou period, 770-256 BCE

Century

6th-5th century BCE

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art & Numismatics

Dimensions

1.1 x 5 cm (7/16 x 1 15/16 in.)

Provenance

William D. Vogel (H’30), Milwaukee, WI (by 1930-1980), inherited; by Virginia Booth Vogel, Milwaukee, WI (1980-1998), by descent; to Frederick Vogel III, Milwaukee, WI (1998-2016), gift; to The Harvard Art Museums.