A pair of silver inlaid bronze chariot fittings, probably Western Han dynasty, 1st century BC

Lot 386. A pair of silver inlaid bronze chariot fittings, probably Western Han dynasty, 1st century BC. L. 7,2 cm. Estimate 7.500/12.000 €. Lot sold 1.100 €. Courtesy Nagel

Of tubular form with flat circular top and four protruding ribs. Inlaid with highly stylized scrolling cloud motifs with linear spirals. Both fittings inlaid with the characters "ling li". 

Provenance: Bought in 1998 from L.H.W. Investment & Trading Limited, Hong Kong.

Described and illustrated in: Regina Krahl: Collection Julius Eberhardt. Early Chinese Art, vol. 1, Hong Kong 1999, p. 124f.

For related and similar formed objects see Jenny So: Eastern Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C. 1995, p. 60, fig. 104 and Thomas Lawton: Chinese Art of the Warring States Period. Change and Continuity: 480-220 BC, Washington D.C. 1982, cat. no. 18.