This Bronze mask of a Tiger made during the Eastern Zhou Period (770-255 BCE) is one of my favorite pieces in my exhibition, Treasures Fit for an Emperor.
The Tiger is cast with mounting prongs on the reverse side so that it could be mounted on a bronze war helmet. The Tiger is a symbol of military prowess in Chinese culture. By the Eastern Zhou period the art of casting bronze was highly advanced. In addition to this mask, my exhibition has other precious bronze, silver and gold objects from China’s antiquity many of which have been published and illustrated. Come and enjoy!