Bronze with gilding and inlay. China, late Warring States to Western Han, approx. 3rd to 2nd cent. BC
Larger, rare gou with expressive dragon head on the wide, rounded end and another little one, curled-in, on the smaller end. The lightly curved clasp shows on the front very powerfully crafted, ornamental relief, which depicts the dragon body including claws, as well as some cloud spirals. On the smaller tapering end of the relief is a further dragon head. Three circular, set inlays in turquoise-green material. Much of gilding remains, which was also on the back. Here is especially strong development of green age patina.
LENGTH 17,3 CM
From a German private collection