China, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, 475 – 221 BC
Length: 4 inches, 10.2 cm

A bronze chariot fitting of tubular form, cast in the form of a horned dragon’s head. The mouth is closed and has two large fangs, which protrude from the sides. The animal’s elongated ears overlap the barley-twist horns. The pupils of its bulging eyes are inlaid with black stones. The finial is covered in gold and silver inlays that are detailed with carefully executed spiral patterns. The inside of the fitting contains the remains of a wood pole. The sides and underneath of the finial are pierced for attachment. The brown-coloured bronze has small areas of greenish oxidisation.

The remains of wood inside the fitting indicate that it was most probably made to go on the end of the yoke by which a horse was attached to the crossbar of a chariot; such pieces have been found in close proximity to other fittings more obviously associated with this type of vehicle, notably a gold dragonhead finial found in the tomb of King Cuo in Zhongshan State.1 The lively modelling of the dragon’s head with its realistic inlaid eyes and the exquisite detailing of the gold and silver inlay are proof of the highly sophisticated technical and artistic accomplishments of Warring States craftsmen.

1 - Liu, Jiansheng (ed.) Warring States Treasures - Cultural Relics from the State of Zhongshan, Hebei Province Hong Kong, 1999 no. 39, pp. 110-1