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A work made of bronze inlaid with gold and silver.

Tubular Fitting

Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th/3rd century B.C.

China

China

Sumptuously inlaid bronze tubes were designed as fittings for weapons, scepters, and chariots. This hexagonal fitting was probably a ferrule (dun), used to cap the lower end of a wood shaft for a bronze halberd. In its remarkable fluency, the inlaid design of volutes and spirals was largely inspired by contemporary lacquer painting.

Bronze inlaid with gold and silver

Arts of Asia