1-233-726 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Bronze ferrule with sphinx-like animal, Eastern Zhou dynasty, China, 5th century BC. A bronze ferrule to cap the lower end of a weapon shaft and tip. There is a crouched creature, which looks somewhat sphinx-like, such as is found on Iranian metalwork and sculpture. The long neck carries striations as fur, and the legs have circular decorations reminiscent of patterns found on some early Ordos pieces. The spare space is filled with small geometric patterns. There are cowrie patterns on the tail and crest. The cowrie motif, though found in the art of several states, was a motif particularly popular in the western State of Jin.