Openwork Plaque: Felines and Prey

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.