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 bottle-shaped fitting may have formed part of the axel cap for the wheel of a ceremonial chariot. In its remarkable fluency, the inlaid design of volutes and spirals was largely inspired by contemporary lacquer painting.
Bronze inlaid with gold and silver