Artwork preview

Finial in the Shape of Kulan

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The bronze sculpture depicts an animal resembling a donkey or a mule with a long, pointed ear and a short tail, standing on a small rectangular base with a cylindrical hole on one side. The sculpture is rendered in a simple, naturalistic style with a green patina, exhibiting a weathered appearance with visible signs of aging and wear. The animal's head is lowered, and its legs are bent. The background features a gradient transitioning from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom, with the sculpture casting a shadow to the right. The sculpture is titled "Finial in the Shape of Kulan" by an unknown artist.

Artwork details

Date:
4th century BCE
Medium:
Tinned bronze
Culture:
Northwest China and southwestern Inner Mongolia
Dimensions:
463 × 625 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette