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Spearhead

Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE)

Not on view

The spear (mao) was the primary hand weapon for jabbing in ancient China. Its use continued into the Qin era, which also witnessed the emergence of the pi, a broad-bodied spear with flat edges. The Qin army was equipped with both types of spear, though use of the pi was more widespread. Pit no. 1 of the First Emperor’s mausoleum yielded five mao versus sixteen pi, a ratio of one to three, indicating that the pi had relegated the mao to a secondary position on the battlefield.

Spearhead, Bronze, China — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

秦青铜矛

Title: Spearhead

Period: Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE)

Culture: China

Medium: Bronze

Dimensions: W. 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm); L. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm); Diam. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)

Classification: Metalwork

Credit Line: Lent by Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

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Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.