Mat Weight in the Form of a Bear
Unknown Artist
202 BCE–9 CE
Medium
gilt bronze
Dimensions
15.7 × 14.6 × 17.3 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1994.203
About this artwork
The bear imagery was particularly popular during the Han dynasty and was a metaphor of heroic power. This heavy, solid bear was probably used as a mat weight; other small squatting bears often served as the legs of vessels.