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Belt Plaque in the Shape of a Tiger and a Kulan

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ancient bronze belt plaque depicting a tiger and a kulan. The plaque shows a tiger with its mouth open and teeth bared, attacking a kulan from behind. The kulan has its head lowered and its body bent in a defensive posture. The plaque has a green patina with areas of red and orange, indicating age and wear. The background is gray, and the overall shape of the plaque is rectangular with curved edges. The animals are intricately detailed, with visible fur texture on the tiger and muscles on the kulan. Two holes are visible on either side of the plaque. The plaque is shown from a side view, with the tiger on the left and the kulan on the right.

Artwork Details

Date
3rd century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Culture
Northwest China
Dimensions
600 × 376 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette