Artwork preview

Harness Ornament with Tigers

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Harness Ornament with Tigers by unknown artist depicts a bronze ornament featuring two tigers and two other creatures. The ornament is made of bronze and has a dark patina. It consists of a horizontal bar with a tiger on the left side, its body adorned with parallel stripes. The tiger's head faces to the left and is rendered in profile. Two creatures resembling snakes or dragons are positioned on top of the bar, one on either side of the center. The creatures have circular holes for eyes and curving bodies that follow the contours of the bar. A smaller tiger or dragon-like creature is attached to the right end of the bar, also featuring parallel stripes. The background of the image is light purple.

Artwork details

Date:
7th–6th century BCE
Medium:
Bronze
Culture:
Northeast China
Dimensions:
600 × 444 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette