Chariot Finial, 11th-10th century BCE, 5 13/16 × 4 1/4 × 4 in., 2 lb. ( × × cm, kg), Bronze, China, Early Western Zhou Dynasty, A combination of four masks appears on this bronze finial, which originally adorned the end of a pole. A forceful taotie (composite animal) mask with downward-facing C-shaped horns appears on one side of the top. This monster’s face forms a mask on a human head; it has the broad nose typical of early masks. On the other side, a ram’s head, with horns turned down, bites on a head resembling a taotie.

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Size: 3868px × 5166px
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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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