Massive and exceptional Chinese gilt bronze Mat weight, Han Dynasty!
$1,875.00
An exceptional large and massive bronze 'Mat' weight, Chinese, Han Dynasty, c. 206 BC – 220 AD.
This weight which is probably dating to the Eastern Han, 25-220 AD, depicts a fancyful reclining animal, probably a Dog. Cast in bronze with fine archaic features and a round object at the right hind leg, which could be symbolizing a cash coin.
The beast was finely gilded and plated in antiquity and much of the gold is still visible on the surface.
Whilst the original purpose of these is not entirely clear, scholars surmise that they were used in sets of four to hold down woven mats used for seating or to weigh down a funeral shroud. Typical of Warring States period and Han dynasty these weights were often inlaid with gold and silver to convey the high social status of the owner.
Size: 88 mm. long and 45 mm. tall and 40 mm. thick.
Weight: 584 grams!
Ex. Private collection, collected from the later 1930s to c. 1980.
This weight which is probably dating to the Eastern Han, 25-220 AD, depicts a fancyful reclining animal, probably a Dog. Cast in bronze with fine archaic features and a round object at the right hind leg, which could be symbolizing a cash coin.
The beast was finely gilded and plated in antiquity and much of the gold is still visible on the surface.
Whilst the original purpose of these is not entirely clear, scholars surmise that they were used in sets of four to hold down woven mats used for seating or to weigh down a funeral shroud. Typical of Warring States period and Han dynasty these weights were often inlaid with gold and silver to convey the high social status of the owner.
Size: 88 mm. long and 45 mm. tall and 40 mm. thick.
Weight: 584 grams!
Ex. Private collection, collected from the later 1930s to c. 1980.
