Artwork preview

Belt Buckle with Animal-Combat Scene

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rectangular belt buckle with rounded corners, primarily depicting an animal-combat scene. The buckle features a dark gray or black metal with a weathered appearance. At the center, two creatures are engaged in combat: one resembling a dragon or serpent with a long body, curled tail, and sharp teeth, and the other a feline-like animal. The dragon-like creature has curled tendrils or flames around its body. In the bottom left corner, a line of raised text. The buckle's surface is heavily textured with raised designs throughout. The background of the image is plain white.

Artwork details

Date:
3rd–2nd century BCE
Medium:
Bronze
Culture:
North China
Dimensions:
598 × 348 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette