Artwork preview

Finial in the Shape of a Bird's Head

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object is a small, rectangular base with rounded top, made of metal, likely bronze or copper, exhibiting a green and reddish-brown patina. The top is shaped like a bird's head in profile, facing left, with a curved beak. Two circular eye sockets are visible on the head. A small hole is present on the bottom center of the rectangular base. The background is a light purple color with a shadow cast to the right of the object. The object is titled "Finial in the Shape of a Bird's Head" by an unknown artist.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 4th century BCE
Medium:
Bronze
Culture:
Northwest China
Dimensions:
600 × 586 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette