Bird, one of a pair, 7th-6th century BCE, 4 5/8 × 5 3/4 × 3 in., 0.9 lb. (11.75 × 14.61 × 7.62 cm, 0.4 kg), Bronze, China, 7th-6th century BCE, It is probable that these birds served as components of another object, such as a vase or a chariot. With their crests, ears, and horns, these are no ordinary birds, but rather magical animals. In their claws they clutch a snakelike beast with two bodies. They are further adorned with incised spirals, their shoulder lines emphasized by large comma shapes in rounded relief. The wings, spread flat, are bordered with striated bands and end in a flourish with double curves at the base of the birds’ breasts. The eyeballs are raised knobs with hollow centers. The bird motif is ubiquitous in Zhou art, suggesting an almost totemic significance. The birds were not only considered living beings but may have acted as intermediaries to help people communicate with the spirit realm.
Keywords:
Bird, pair, 7th-6th century BCE, 0.9 lb, Bronze, China, 7th-6th century BCE, probable, birds served, components, another object, vase, chariot, crests, ears, horns, no ordinary birds, magical animals, claws, clutch, snakelike beast, two bodies, further adorned, incised spirals, shoulder lines emphasized, large comma shapes, rounded relief, wings, spread flat, bordered, striated bands, flourish, double curves, base, birds' breasts, eyeballs, raised knobs, hollow centers, bird motif, ubiquitous, Zhou art, suggesting, almost totemic significance, birds, considered living beings, acted, intermediaries, help people communicate, spirit realm
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