Pointed Tubular Tool with Pin
Unknown Artist
1st millennium BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
a: L. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm) b: L. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture
China
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Katherine and George Fan, 2003
Accession Number
2003.66.9a, b
Art Historical Context
This intriguing bronze artifact, titled *Pointed Tubular Tool Pin*, hails from China during the 1st BCE—a pivotal era in the Bronze Age when advanced metallurgy flourished. Crafted in two parts (one measuring 6⅞ inches long and the other 2⅝ inches), this metalwork piece exemplifies the precision of ancient Chinese bronze casting techniques, likely employing the sophisticated piece-mold method that allowed for intricate forms. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art 2003 by Katherine and George Fan, it resides in the Asian Art department, offering a glimpse into a time when bronze was not jus...