Pair of Plaques with Profile Animal Heads
Western Zhou dynasty ( 1046–771 BC ), 10th/8th century B.C.
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
30.2 × 22.4 × 0.2 cm (11 7/8 × 8 13/16 × 3/16 in.)
Classification
bronze
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
7521
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This metal plaque is one of a pair that was beaten together to form mirror images of an animal head in profile with gaping mouth and curved fang. Similarly curved and perforated examples, which have been excavated from the burials of horses and chariots, suggest that these plaques originally formed the cheek pieces for a horse's bridle. Alternatively, they may have been sewn onto leather to form defensive armor for the chest or back of a soldier.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...