A turquoise-inlaid gilt-bronze 'bear' fitting, Han dynasty | 漢 銅鎏金嵌綠松石熊形承足

A turquoise-inlaid gilt-bronze 'bear' fitting

Han dynasty

漢 銅鎏金嵌綠松石熊形承足

cast hollow with a D-shaped aperture in the top of the head and a circular opening at the base, the animal seated with both front paws raised to the side of its head, the rotund body finely incised with fur and inlaid with small turquoise beads contrasting handsomely with the gilt

Height 1⅞ in., 4.8 cm