<em>Pair of Crossbow Mounts</em>, 770–256 B.C.E. Bronze, inlaid with silver, 7 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (19.7 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 71.118.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 71.118.1a-b_PS4.jpg)

Pair of Crossbow Mounts, 770–256 B.C.E. Bronze, inlaid with silver, 7 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (19.7 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 71.118.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 71.118.1a-b_PS4.jpg)

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Pair of Crossbow Mounts

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)

MEDIUM Bronze, inlaid with silver

Place Made: China

DATES 770–256 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Late Eastern Zhou Dynasty

PERIOD Eastern Zhou Dynasty

DIMENSIONS 7 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (19.7 x 8.3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 71.118.1a-b

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Fittings for a cross-bow. Socketed finial terminating in bird head. Holes for cotter pin. Reddish-brown, inlaid with silver. Inlay design based on geometric patterns emphasizing volutes. Inlay technique of silver used in sheets cut to pattern and in threads. Use uncertain; possibly chariot pole rest. Recent archaeological excavations in China have identified the original function of these superbly decorated objects. The "Fitting" is a coupling on a parasol mount for a chariot. The two parts of the "Fitting" were mounted on sections of a wooden pole, one part was inserted in the other, and the clasp in the shape of a tiger locked them in place. The "Crossbow Mounts" were attached to the frame of a chariot and held the arms of a crossbow. The care and the costly materials that were expended on the "Tubular Fitting" and the "Crossbow Mounts" point to the growing importance of luxury accouterments in the Zhou Dynasty, when personal objects began to compete with bronze ritual vessels as objects of display.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)

CAPTION Pair of Crossbow Mounts, 770–256 B.C.E. Bronze, inlaid with silver, 7 3/4 x 3 1/4 in. (19.7 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 71.118.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 71.118.1a-b_PS4.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 71.118.1a-b_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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